Kohat Police Lines attack: Eight terrorists killed as security forces conclude joint clearance operation

Kohat (Web Desk): Eight militants were killed after police and security forces wrapped up an overnight operation launched following the deadly terrorist attack on Kohat Police Lines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the Central Police Office (CPO) said on Saturday.

The joint operation was launched by police and security forces suicide attack on a mosque located inside the Police Lines during Friday prayers a day earlier. 

The deadly explosion left at least 22 people dead, including 16 police personnel, while 103 others were wounded.

Earlier, KP Inspector General of Police (IGP)  Zulfiqar Hamid had stated that an explosives-laden vehicle crashed through the gate of the old Police Lines before detonating. 

He said that the incident was followed by gunfire, while a second suicide blast took place at the Special Branch building as security personnel exchanged fire with the attackers.

The CPO said Elite Force commandos, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) teams and security personnel took part in the operation and cleared several important areas within the Police Lines.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional IG CTD, the Regional Police Officer (RPO) and the Kohat District Police Officer (DPO). IGP Hamid, along with other senior officials, remained at the location throughout the operation.

IGP Hamid said the security forces completed the operation after an all-night action against the attackers, adding that police, CTD personnel and other security forces fought bravely.

Meanwhile, security sources said the Pakistan Army began another phase of the operation after Fajr prayers and eliminated the final two suicide attackers who had taken shelter inside the Police Lines.

According to the sources, seven militants were killed during the operation, which was directly monitored by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kohat. Army commandos and other personnel, accompanied by the bomb disposal squad, later conducted a detailed clearance of the area before handing it back to the police.

In a separate incident, terrorists fired at a police checkpoint positioned at the main entrance of the district courts in Kohat, damaging the post. Police said no one was injured in the attack.

Authorities also shut down offices and district courts situated near the Police Lines as part of heightened security measures. An emergency was declared across Kohat, while security checks were tightened at all entry and exit routes leading into and out of the city.