At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, were killed and more than 100 others injured in a terrorist attack at the Police Lines in Kohat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The blast occurred at around 1:20pm during Friday prayers at a mosque inside the Police Lines on Hangu Road. The explosion was followed by an attack involving around five to seven armed terrorists.
One of the civilians killed in the attack was a senior paediatric specialist serving at a local hospital.
A total of 103 injured people were taken to two hospitals in Kohat. Of them, 73 were police personnel and 30 were civilians. Thirty-four injured people were admitted for treatment, while five underwent laparotomy surgery for serious abdominal injuries.
Four of the patients who underwent surgery were later referred to tertiary-care hospitals in Peshawar for further treatment. Authorities said medical assistance was being provided to all injured victims and the situation remained under close monitoring.
Security officials said seven armed terrorists entered the Police Lines following the mosque explosion. Six attackers, including the suicide bomber, were killed during the security operation.
The initial blast was caused by a suicide bomber who detonated explosives near the Special Branch building. Security personnel subsequently launched a clearance operation against the remaining attackers inside the compound.
The militant group Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident has also renewed concerns over militant groups operating from Afghanistan and their alleged involvement in attacks inside Pakistan.
The clearance operation entered its final stages, with security forces conducting searches inside the Police Lines compound and attempting to locate any remaining attackers and their facilitators.
Police and counterterrorism personnel remained engaged in the operation, while authorities said efforts were underway to ensure that all threats were eliminated and the area was secured.
Rescue teams deployed 14 ambulances, rescue vehicles and a recovery vehicle, with more than 45 personnel taking part in emergency operations. Rescue activities continued as security forces cleared the affected area.
The federal and provincial governments strongly condemned the attack and directed authorities to accelerate rescue and relief operations. Officials also ordered that the injured receive the best available medical treatment and that critically wounded victims be transferred to other hospitals where necessary.
Emergency measures were implemented at hospitals across Kohat to manage the large number of casualties and ensure adequate medical facilities for those injured.
The provincial government also ordered a detailed investigation into the attack and directed relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the incident.
Authorities reiterated their resolve to combat terrorism and said attacks targeting security personnel and civilians would not weaken efforts to restore peace and security.
The attack has caused widespread grief in Kohat, while appeals have also been made for blood donations to support the treatment of those injured in the blast.
