21 martyred in Kohat police lines attack

21 martyred in Kohat police lines attack

At least 21 people, including 15 police officials, were martyred on Friday when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines, followed by an attack on police facilities, officials said.

District Health Officer Dr Nasir Hassan Afridi confirmed that more than 80 people were injured in the attack, with three of the wounded reported to be in critical condition.

Senior police officials said SP Traffic Akbar Shinwari and Dr Israel Orakzai, head of the children’s department at DHQ KDA Kohat, were among those killed.

According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, the attack began when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) exploded near the boundary wall close to the mosque inside the police compound. The blast caused significant damage to the mosque and nearby structures.

Police said at least seven attackers subsequently entered the compound and moved towards the buildings of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Special Branch. Security personnel engaged the attackers, killing six of them, including a suicide bomber.

One attacker remained trapped inside the compound, prompting security forces to launch a clearance operation. Police said the operation was continuing and had entered its final stages around 3:30pm.

The Counter Terrorism Department said Additional Inspector General CTD reached the site and personally joined the operation. An exchange of fire between CTD personnel and the remaining terrorist was reported as security forces conducted the clearance operation.

IG Zulfiqar Hameed said the operation would continue until the complete elimination of what he referred to as “Fitna-ul-Khawarij”, a term used by the state for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He also said police personnel remained determined while continuing the operation.

Television footage from the scene showed residents and rescue workers searching through rubble and assisting injured people following the explosion. The blast also damaged the boundary wall and other parts of the police compound.

The Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sought a detailed report on the incident. In a statement issued by his office, the chief minister condemned the loss of life and described the targeting of civilians as deeply regrettable and unacceptable.

Authorities continued the clearance operation at the police compound as security personnel worked to secure the area and determine the full extent of the attack and casualties.