15 police personnel among 21 martyred in Kohat Police Lines blast

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.