KOHAT: At least 16 people, including five police personnel, were martyred and more than 50 others injured in a suicide attack near the Police Lines in Kohat during Friday prayers, police and hospital officials said.
According to police, the blast occurred while Friday prayers were underway. The explosion damaged the outer portion of a mosque and caused part of its wall to collapse. A crater was also left outside the mosque after the blast.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said an explosives-laden vehicle was driven into the gate of the old Police Lines. The vehicle exploded following the attack.
The Central Police Office in Peshawar said one attacker was killed during an exchange of fire. Police also reported another suicide explosion at the Special Branch building during the firing.
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According to the Central Police Office, the attack claimed the lives of five police personnel and 11 civilians.
Medical Superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital Tahir Ali Shah said 15 bodies and more than 50 injured people had been brought to the hospital. An emergency was declared at the facility as medical teams worked to treat the casualties.
Police said the injured, including several police personnel, were being transported to hospitals for treatment.
Following the attack, the Kohat-Hangu Road was closed to traffic. Additional security personnel were also deployed around the Police Lines as security measures were tightened.
Rescue officials said the explosions damaged several nearby buildings. Rescue and relief activities were continuing at the site as authorities worked to assess the damage and assist those affected.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident and sought a report from police officials. He instructed the authorities to examine all aspects of the attack and submit a detailed report.
Condemning the incident, the chief minister said such acts of terrorism could not weaken the resolve of the nation. He directed officials to make full use of available resources to provide immediate medical care to the injured and ensure that hospitals had the necessary facilities.
He also ordered arrangements to transfer critically injured patients to other host.