5 police personnel among 16 martyred in Kohat Police Lines blast

Peshawar (Web Desk): At least 16 people, including five police officials, were martyred and several others were wounded in an explosion near a mosque in the Police Lines area in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Friday.

According to police, the explosion took place during Friday prayers, leaving a large crater outside the mosque. Several police officials were also among those injured in the incident.

They said that an additional contingent of police personnel was deployed across the Police Lines area.
Rescue authorities said the blast caused major damage to the mosque’s exterior, while part of a nearby wall also gave way. Rescue teams remained engaged at the scene, searching the area and helping those affected by the explosion.

Tahir Ali Shah, Medical Superintendent of the Kohat District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, said the facility had received 15 bodies as well as more than 50 injured people following the incident.

Meanwhile, authorities suspended traffic on the Kohat-Hangu Road after the explosion.

The DHQ Hospital administration declared an emergency as casualties began arriving for medical assistance. Hospital officials subsequently reported that at least 25 injured people had been admitted for treatment.

KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed said a vehicle carrying explosives crashed into the entrance of the old Police Lines before detonating. The IGP added that gunfire also erupted after the vehicle exploded.

He described the incident as a suicide attack and said a second suicide explosion occurred at the Special Branch building during the firing that followed the initial blast.

The Central Police Office said IGP Hameed had requested a detailed report from the Regional Police Officer in Kohat regarding the incident.

As per the initial findings shared by the CPO, an explosives-filled vehicle struck the gate of the old Police Lines and exploded.

Authorities were reportedly working to establish the complete circumstances and nature of the attack, while an exchange of fire with the attackers continued after the blast, the CPO said.

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, both leaders 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.