New Delhi: At least 16 people, including five police personnel and 11 civilians, were killed and more than 50 injured in a suicide attack at a mosque at Kohat police lines in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during Friday prayers.The attack began with an explosives laden vehicle striking the gate and was followed by gunfire as security forces engaged armed militants.
Kohat, around 60 kilometres southwest of Peshawar, was placed under a security cordon as police and the CTD (counterterrorism department) launched a clearance operation. The explosion damaged the mosque and surrounding structures as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers.
Speaking to Dawn, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general, Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed that 16 people had been killed and more than 50 injured. He said a vehicle borne suicide bomber initially struck the gate before attackers moved towards the CTD building, while others headed towards the special branch building, where another suicide bomber later detonated himself during the security operation.
In a later statement, Hameed said police were exchanging fire with militants whom Pakistani authorities described as Fitna al Khawarij, a term used by the state for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan linked terrorists.
Police said seven attackers attempted to infiltrate the Police Lines after the initial explosion. Six were subsequently killed by police and CTD personnel, including a suicide bomber, as the clearance operation entered its final stages.
District headquarters hospital medical superintendent Tahir Ali Shah said 15 bodies and more than 50 injured people had initially been brought to the hospital. Police subsequently put the death toll at 16, including five personnel.
Rescue 1122 deployed more than 45 personnel, 14 ambulances, rescue vehicles and a recovery vehicle to the site. An emergency was declared at the district headquarters hospital as casualties arrived, while authorities closed roads around the affected area during rescue and security operations.
Dawn reported that the attack was claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen. The responsibility claim has not been independently verified, and Pakistani authorities had not publicly established the organization responsible for the attack.
The president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack. Sharif directed authorities to accelerate relief operations, ensure medical treatment for the injured and submit a report on the nature and cause of the explosions.