PESHAWAR (MNN); At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, were killed and 103 others injured when powerful explosions struck a mosque inside the Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayers, according to Kohat Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Shah.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old Police Lines before detonating. Firing also took place during the attack, while another suicide blast occurred at the Special Branch building amid an exchange of fire between security personnel and the attackers.
According to the Central Police Office, seven armed terrorists entered the Police Lines following the initial suicide attack. Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department engaged the attackers and killed six of them, including a suicide bomber and a sniper.
The blast caused severe damage to the outer portion of the mosque and brought down a wall. Rescue teams and local residents took part in efforts to recover victims and assist the injured.
Officials said at least one attacker remained inside the compound, prompting a continued clearance operation. The Counter-Terrorism Department said its Additional Inspector General reached the site and personally joined the operation while leading CTD personnel.
Police said the attack began with the detonation of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near the mosque inside the Police Lines. The attackers subsequently breached the compound and moved towards the CTD and Special Branch buildings.
The attack was claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen, according to the supplied report.
Authorities closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to traffic following the incident, while the district administration declared an emergency at DHQ Hospital as casualties were brought in for treatment.
Condemnations
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives. Officials directed authorities to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured and sought reports into the incident.
President Zardari said eliminating terrorists was essential for national security, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure all possible facilities for those affected and sought a report on the causes and circumstances of the blast.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called the attack deeply regrettable and unacceptable and ordered authorities to ensure immediate treatment for the injured and investigate all aspects of the incident.
Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Poland, Australia and Jordan also condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims’ families while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The supplied report notes that Kohat has witnessed a deadly attack in the past as well. In 2010, a remote-controlled bomb blast inside a police colony near the Police Lines killed 20 people, mostly relatives of policemen, and injured more than 90 others.
