Kohat Police lines attack foiled as security forces kill 8 militants

The attack began after an explosion at the mosque in the old Police Lines, following which armed militants reportedly entered the compound.

KOHAT: Security forces and police have completed a night-long operation at the old Police Lines in Kohat following a terrorist attack on a mosque, with eight suspected militants killed during the clearance operation, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed.

The attack began after an explosion at the mosque in the old Police Lines, following which armed militants reportedly entered the compound. Police and security personnel immediately launched a counter-operation to secure the premises and prevent the attackers from advancing further.

According to the latest official update, eight militants were killed during the operation. Elite Force commandos, Counter-Terrorism Department teams and security forces subsequently cleared key portions of the Police Lines complex, bringing the operation to an end.

IGP Zulfiqar Hameed remained at the scene during the operation and monitored the security response. He praised the personnel involved for their response to the attack and said the suicide bomber had attempted to target law-enforcement personnel but failed.

The operation was coordinated by the Additional Inspector General of CTD, the Regional Police Officer Kohat and the District Police Officer Kohat, while the General Officer Commanding Kohat was also present at the site.

The IGP praised police, CTD personnel and security forces for what he described as a determined response to the attack and announced rewards for officers and personnel who took part in the operation.

Following the clearance of the premises, security measures have been strengthened around the old Police Lines and adjoining areas as authorities continue to assess the site and investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The latest operation marks the conclusion of an extended security response to the assault, with authorities reiterating their commitment to preventing militant attacks and protecting police and other law-enforcement personnel.