PESHAWAR: At least 16 people were killed and more than 50 others injured when a powerful explosion struck a mosque inside the Old Police Lines in Kohat during Friday prayers, triggering a major security and rescue operation in the area.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid, an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the Old Police Lines, causing a powerful blast. Gunfire was also reported following the explosion.The blast occurred while Friday prayers were being offered at the mosque, resulting in significant casualties and damage in the surrounding area.Soon after the incident, teams of Rescue 1122 Kohat reached the scene and launched rescue and relief operations. Rescue personnel evacuated the injured and shifted them to hospitals for emergency medical treatment.
Following the blast, personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched a search and clearance operation.An exchange of fire between security personnel and the attackers was also reported. Additional Inspector General CTD reached the site and personally supervised the security operation. According to officials, he also entered the affected area and led CTD personnel during the operation.The Kohat District Headquarters Hospital declared an emergency following the incident.Hospital authorities reported that 15 bodies and more than 50 injured people had been brought to the facility as rescue and evacuation operations continued.
Five injured shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.Five injured persons were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital, Medical Teaching Institution (LRH-MTI), Peshawar, where they were provided immediate medical treatment in the Emergency Department.
The injured were identified as:
Agha Gul, son of Hayat Khan, 45
Kashif Ali, son of Muhammad Afzal, 30
Kashif Mujeeb, son of Daraz Khan, 45
Kashif Rahimullah, son of Jalal Jan, 20
Zari, son of Amin Gul, 30
According to LRH-MTI, all five injured persons were receiving emergency medical care, while specialist doctors were continuously monitoring their condition.Hospital Director Muhammad Tariq Khan Barki visited the Emergency Department, inquired about the condition of the injured and directed doctors, nurses and other staff to ensure the provision of the best possible, timely and completely free treatment.
Kohat Hangu Road closed.In view of the ongoing security and rescue operations, the Kohat Hangu Road was closed to all traffic. Law-enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and restricted movement around the Old Police Lines.
Security personnel continued the search and clearance operation inside and around the Police Lines, while rescue teams remained engaged in evacuating casualties.Authorities also launched an investigation into the attack to determine the exact circumstances of the blast, the number of attackers involved and the nature of the explosives used.
The casualty figures are expected to be verified and updated by the authorities as the rescue and security operations progress.
