Peshawar (Web Desk): At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians were martyred, after an explosion struck a mosque inside Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers, according to an initial report prepared by the Medical Superintendent of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Kohat and the District Health Officer.

As per the report, the blast occurred at around 1:20pm at the mosque situated within the Police Lines on Hangu Road.

Following the explosion, a group of armed militants launched an attack in the area. Initial information suggested that between five and seven attackers were involved.

The death toll included 15 members of the police force and six civilians. Among the civilian victims was Dr Israel Khan Aurakzai, who served as Chief District Specialist (Paediatrics) at Liaqat Memorial Hospital in Kohat.

According to hospital authorities, a total of 103 injured people were brought to the two hospitals following the attack. Liaqat Memorial Hospital received 13 patients, while 90 were taken to DHQ Hospital Kohat. The injured included 73 police personnel and 30 civilians.

Medical authorities said 34 of the injured were admitted for further treatment. Five patients required laparotomy, a major abdominal surgical procedure, while four of those who underwent the operation were later transferred to tertiary-care hospitals in Peshawar for specialised treatment.

The local authorities said the medical situation was being monitored closely and that all available resources were being used to provide treatment and assistance to those wounded in the attack.

According to police, seven armed militants entered the Police Lines after the initial explosion. They added that six attackers, including the suicide bomber, had been killed during the security operation.

The police officials added the first suicide attacker detonated explosives near the Special Branch building after the mosque blast.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police Public Relations Director said the security operation had reached its concluding phase under the supervision of KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed, He said that law enforcers were conducting a detailed search and clearance operation within the affected area.

Hameed said law enforcement agencies were working to locate the remaining attackers and identify those who assisted them.

He said police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) were carrying out an operation against what he described as Fitna al-Khawarij inside the Police Lines premises.

The police chief said the KP Police would continue confronting militant violence and would not allow such attacks to weaken its resolve.

He also said those responsible for the deaths, along with their facilitators, would be pursued.

Earlier, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said the emergency response involved 14 ambulances, several rescue vehicles, a recovery vehicle and more than 45 rescue workers.

He said that District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin was personally supervising the rescue operation.

The spokesperson said rescue and relief work would remain underway until the security operation was brought to an end, while further updates would be shared as additional information became available.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly denounced the bomb explosion at the Old Police Lines in Kohat.

In separate statements, the president and the premier expressed profound sorrow over the incident and conveyed their concern over the injuries suffered by several people in the blast.

They directed the authorities to ensure that those wounded receive the best possible medical treatment without delay and prayed for their swift recovery.

President Zardari said that the complete eradication of Fitna-al-Khawarij and terrorists allegedly backed by foreign elements is essential to protecting Pakistan’s national security.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meanwhile, called for a report from the relevant authorities on the explosion and directed officials to speed up relief operations.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has condemned the explosion near Kohat’s Old Police Line, expressing sorrow over the deaths and injuries resulting from the incident.

In a statement, he said that he was deeply grieved by the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the families of those killed.

He assured the bereaved families that the government shares their pain and remains by their side as they face the difficult situation.

The minister also prayed for those wounded in the blast, wishing them a quick and complete recovery. He said the people of Pakistan stand together with the victims’ families in their time of grief and will continue to provide support. Naqvi paid tribute to those who lost their lives and conveyed his sympathies to their loved ones.

Commenting on the incident, the interior minister said acts committed by the khawarij would not shake the country's resolve. He maintained that such incidents could not weaken the collective determination of the nation, reaffirming the state’s resolve to deal with threats of this nature.

Naqvi once again offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed that Allah grant them patience and strength to endure their loss. He also sought an early recovery for everyone injured in the explosion.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took immediate notice of the explosion and called on police authorities to submit a report regarding the incident.

The KP CM strongly denounced the blast, calling the act of terrorism "extremely regrettable and unacceptable".

He directed the relevant authorities to mobilise all available resources to ensure that those wounded receive urgent medical attention, along with proper treatment and required facilities at hospitals.

Afridi further ordered officials to investigate every aspect of the incident and furnish a comprehensive report detailing the findings.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also condemned the explosion at the Police Lines and expressed profound sorrow over the deaths resulting from the incident.

The Balochistan CM said that the nation remained united in confronting terrorism and emphasised the importance of strengthening the collective determination to achieve lasting peace and stability.

New York (Web Desk): At the United Nations (UN), Pakistan has reiterated its unwavering support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, conveyed this position while addressing a UN Security Council Arria Formula meeting on “Safe Seas, Shared Security: Protecting Freedom of Navigation in an Evolving Security Environment” held today.

Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, During the Security Council Arria Formula Meeting on Safe Seas, Shared Security: Protecting Freedom of Navigation in an Evolving Security Environment ******* Mr. President, At the outset, we wish to thank the Kingdom of Bahrain for organizing this Arria Formula meeting. Excellency Mr. Foreign Minister, we are pleased to see you preside over this important meeting organised by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain. We thank briefers for their analysis. 2. The concept of maritime security has evolved overtime. One of the major achievements of post-World War-II order is open, safe and free maritime space, which ushered in a rapid development of global economy, trade and investment. 3. Global maritime domain is presently in the grip of intractable challenges. It has morphed into a locus of intensifying geopolitical competition and intersecting challenges of 21st century. Myriad non-traditional threats ranging from piracy and terrorism to human trafficking and climate-induced risks have added another layer of complexity to the existing challenges. Mr. President, 4. Disruption of commercial shipping and attacks on merchant vessels, both in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-Al-Mandab, has underscored that crises at sea have grave implications for continents and countries. The volatility at these maritime choke points have not only imperiled peace and stability but also skyrocketed energy prices and heightened fears of global food insecurity. 5. Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime trade route for the transit of one-third of globally traded crude oil and a significant share of global fertilizer trade. Its geostrategic location also makes it vital for region’s security and stability. Pakistan is deeply concerned at the disruptions in the Strait including attacks on commercial shipping. We reiterate our strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our brotherly countries in the region, which are adversely impacted by the volatility and violence in the Strait. Pakistan calls for an immediate deescalation of tensions, security of ships and crew members, and restoration of normal passage through the Strait. 6. Pakistan strongly condemns the nefarious designs of Houthi militia to weaponize Bab-Al-Mandab by launching attacks on merchant shipping and innocent seafarers navigating the Strait. These attacks seriously undermine maritime security and threaten peace and development of regional countries, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is facing blatant and unprovoked aggression by the Houthis. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity of the Kingdom and stands in complete solidarity with its leadership, government, and our brothers and sisters of Saudi Arabia. We call upon Houthi militia for immediate cessation of these provocative acts which could have dire consequences for maritime security, and regional peace and stability. Mr. President, 7. As one of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean with overwhelming reliance on sea-borne trade and as a party to UN Convention on the Law of Sea, Pakistan attaches paramount importance to maritime safety and security. It is our principled position that global shipping should not become a casualty of conflict and strife. Instead, it should remain a driver of global trade and economy. 8. Guided by these foundational principles, Pakistan acted as a mediator between Iran and the United States, following the outbreak of hostilities between the two countries. With the support of our friends and partners, we spearheaded diplomatic efforts for de-escalation and broader regional stability, culminating in a ceasefire and Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. We shall continue to make efforts for a negotiated settlement of all outstanding issues for an early return to normalcy at sea and land. 9. In pursuit of this objective, Pakistan looks forward to working with all peace-loving nations, in region and beyond, for furtherance of maritime peace and security, and safety of commercial shipping and merchant vessels. I thank you. ****

— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) September 18, 2026

Addressing the forum, the Pakistani envoy strongly denounced the Houthi militia’s attacks on commercial vessels and maritime workers operating in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

He pointed out that attacks on merchant ships in the Bab al-Mandab, coupled with interruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, have shown that maritime security emergencies can produce serious consequences for international peace and stability, as well as global energy and food security.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions, security of ships and crew members, and restoration of normal passage through the Strait.

Islamabad (Web Desk): Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that no one will be allowed to enter Islamabad in groups or attempt to surround the federal capital in defiance of the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) detailed judgment.

He warned that those who disregard the court’s directives could face contempt of court proceedings without delay.

Addressing a press conference alongside Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry and Islamabad Advocate General Manzoor Ahmad on Friday, Naqvi said security forces and law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) had been given clear orders to maintain peace and prevent any effort to disturb public order in the capital.

The minister said law-enforcement personnel would not simply watch if protesters attempted to violate the law, stressing that an appropriate response would be taken to deal with any such situation.

Referring to the country’s current security situation, including the terrorist attack in Kohat, Naqvi highlighted the sacrifices of security personnel and said the timing of the planned protests was concerning.

He noted that while families and the nation were attending the funerals of martyrs, preparations were also being made for sit-ins and a march towards Islamabad.

The minister called on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and the chief minister to concentrate on tackling terrorism and strengthening the rule of law in the province instead of using state resources for a march on the federal capital.

He said political parties had every right to organize peaceful demonstrations, but stressed that there was a difference between holding a political rally and moving groups towards Islamabad with the intention of surrounding the city.

The interior minister said that protests should be held within the relevant areas and provinces and should not be used to shut down the capital or interfere with the routine activities of its residents.
Naqvi further cautioned that if the confrontation resulted in even one death, those who organized the protest would be held responsible.

He also appealed to opposition figures to review their decision, saying that escalating political tensions would ultimately have consequences for the country.

The minister said the government’s primary concern was the protection of citizens and that efforts would be made to prevent unnecessary disruption to everyday life in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Advocate General Manzoor Ahmad said security personnel would ensure that protesters were prevented from moving towards the federal capital.

He added that government machinery would not be permitted to be used in Islamabad in connection with the protest.

The advocate general further stated that the Constitution provides for action against individuals who fail to fulfil their constitutional obligations, adding that proceedings could also be initiated under Article 5.