UNSC condemns Kohat terror attack, demands accountability

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling for those responsible for the assault, as well as its organisers, financiers and sponsors, to be held accountable.

The condemnation came on Wednesday, days after a coordinated attack on September 18 killed at least 23 people, including 17 policemen and six civilians.

The attack began when terrorists detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a mosque in the old Police Lines area during Friday prayers. The attackers then entered the compound and targeted police facilities. According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, security personnel killed eight terrorists during the ensuing operation.

In a statement issued by Security Council President Jérôme Bonnafont of France, member states described the suicide bombing at the mosque as “heinous and cowardly” and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.

The council also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the assault.

The UNSC stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

It called for the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the attack to be brought to justice and urged all countries to cooperate with Pakistan in efforts to hold those responsible accountable.

The council reiterated that acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, location, timing or perpetrators.

The attack was claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen, according to the report.

Security operation and retaliation

Following the assault, Pakistani security forces launched a clearance operation in the affected area. KP police said on Saturday that Elite Force commandos, Counter Terrorism Department teams and security forces had cleared key sections of the compound.

The attack has also intensified security tensions along Pakistan’s western border.

On Monday, Pakistan’s armed forces carried out airstrikes against what the Information Ministry described as terrorist targets in the border region with Afghanistan. The ministry said more than 28 terrorists were killed in the strikes, which were conducted in response to recent attacks in KP, including the Kohat bombing.

A day earlier, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Peshawar Corps headquarters. According to the military’s media wing, he said the armed forces remained determined to defeat terrorism and ensure lasting peace and stability.

Kohat’s history of deadly attacks

The latest assault also recalls the deadly history of attacks around Kohat’s police facilities.

In 2010, a remote-controlled bomb exploded inside a police colony located behind Kohat Police Lines, killing 20 people, mostly relatives of policemen, and injuring more than 90 others. The blast occurred during Ramadan at Iftar.

The latest attack has once again placed the security of police installations and civilians in KP under scrutiny.

With the UNSC now calling for accountability not only of attackers but also of those who organise, finance or sponsor terrorism, international attention is focused on Pakistan’s efforts to investigate the Kohat assault and prevent further attacks.