KOHAT: At least 21 people, including 15 police officials, were martyred and 103 others injured after explosions targeted a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayer, officials said, prompting condemnation from the country’s top leadership.The deceased include 15 police personnel and six civilians, Kohat Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Shah said. Among those killed was Dr Israel Khan Orakzai, Chief District Specialist at Liaquat Memorial Hospital, he added.Of the 103 injured, 73 are police personnel, and 30 are civilians, according to the MS. 90 of the injured were brought to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, while 13 were taken to Liaquat Memorial Hospital.Dr Shah said 34 injured people remain under treatment at the hospitals, while four critically injured patients have been referred to hospitals in Peshawar for further medical care.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hamid told Geo News that an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old police lines before the blasts.”The vehicle hit the gate and then exploded, and firing also took place,” IGP Hameed said. The KP IGP said that another suicide blast occurred at the Special Branch building during the exchange of fire with terrorists.Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorism since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Despite Islamabad’s repeated requests for the Afghan regime to ensure its soil is not used for terrorism, it has yet to fulfil its commitments.In a statement, the Central Police Office (CPO) said that seven armed terrorists entered the Police Lines following the suicide attack. Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) engaged the attackers and killed six of them — including a suicide bomber and a sniper. The IGP said that the KP police stood “like an iron wall” against terrorism and that such attacks could not undermine the morale of police personnel. “The blood of the martyrs will not go to waste,” he said, adding that terrorists and their facilitators would face consequences.The blast severely damaged the mosque’s outer section, while a wall also collapsed, rescue officials said, noting that a rescue operation was being carried out at the site of the explosion.Authorities have closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to all traffic following the incident. The administration of the DHQ in Kohat has imposed an emergency as injured people were brought in for treatment.President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders condemned the Kohat blast, resulting in the death of 16 people, including policemen.President Zardari expressed grief over the injuries and directed authorities to ensure immediate and the best possible medical treatment for those affected.The president said the complete elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorists was essential for national security.PM Shehbaz also condemned the incident, while directing authorities to provide every possible facility to the affected people.He also sought a report from the relevant authorities regarding the nature and causes of the blast.Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.”We stand with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief,” Naqvi said, adding that the actions of the terrorists .
could not weaken the nation’s resolve.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the blast and sought a report from police officials.
CM Afridi condemned the incident, describing the act of terrorism as “extremely regrettable and unacceptable”.
He directed officials to use available resources to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured and ensure necessary treatment and facilities at hospitals.
He also directed authorities to examine all aspects of the incident and submit a detailed report.
Similarly, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the blast at the Police Lines and expressed deep grief over the loss of life.
Bugti said the entire nation was united against terrorism and stressed the need to strengthen the resolve for peace and stability.