KOHAT (National Times): The death toll from the suicide attack on a mosque inside the Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayers has risen to 22, while 103 people have been injured. The clearance operation launched by police and security forces following the attack has also been completed, with eight militants killed during the operation.
According to security sources, one of the suicide bombers involved in the attack has been identified as Matiullah, an Afghan national. The identification of the second attacker is still underway. Security agencies have launched investigations to identify other militants involved in the attack as well as their facilitators.
According to sources, the attackers targeted the mosque inside the Police Lines during Friday prayers. One suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Police Lines gate, causing a powerful explosion. Following the blast, armed militants entered the Police Lines compound and opened fire at various locations.
Immediately after the attack, police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and security forces cordoned off the area and launched an operation against the attackers. The militants had taken positions at different locations inside the Police Lines, prompting security forces to continue the operation throughout the night.
After Fajr prayers, Pakistan Army commandos conducted an operation inside the Police Lines and killed the remaining militants. Security forces and the Bomb Disposal Squad subsequently cleared different sections of the Police Lines before handing the area back to the police.
The operation was directly supervised by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kohat. Pakistan Army commandos, police personnel, the Counter Terrorism Department, and Bomb Disposal Squad teams participated in the operation.
According to police officials, a total of eight militants were killed during the attack and subsequent clearance operation. Security sources said that the militants killed included suicide bombers.
The attack left 22 people dead and 103 injured. The victims included police personnel as well as civilians, while a large number of those injured were police officials. The injured were shifted to various hospitals in Kohat for medical treatment, while some critically injured victims were transferred to Peshawar for further treatment.
Those killed included police officers, other government officials, and civilians. After funeral prayers were offered for the victims, their bodies were transported to their respective hometowns.
KP Chief Minister Seeks Detailed Report
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took immediate notice of the blast at the Kohat Police Lines mosque and sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities.
The chief minister strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep grief over the loss of precious human lives. He directed authorities to provide the injured with the best possible medical treatment and ordered officials to utilize all available resources.
Sohail Afridi said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the police and security forces, had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The chief minister also directed relevant institutions to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and trace the motives behind the attack, the militants’ network, and their facilitators.
Prime Minister and President Condemn Attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the explosion at the Kohat Police Lines mosque and sought a report on the incident. The prime minister directed authorities to provide immediate and comprehensive medical treatment to the injured and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism.
President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack, expressed condolences to the families of those killed, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other political and government figures also condemned the attack and called for further strengthening counterterrorism measures.
Claim of Responsibility
Various reports have emerged regarding responsibility for the attack. A group affiliated with a banned militant organization has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the claim has not yet been independently verified.
Security agencies are investigating the militants involved in the attack, their facilitators, the planning of the assault, and the possible network behind it.
Following the identification of one suicide bomber as Afghan national Matiullah, investigators are also examining when the attacker entered Pakistan, who may have facilitated him locally, and who else may have been involved in planning the attack.
Security Review at Police Lines
Following the attack, security has been further tightened across Kohat city and at key government installations. Additional personnel have been deployed at the Police Lines and surrounding areas, while checking has been intensified at the city’s entry and exit points.
Security agencies are conducting a fresh review of security arrangements at the Police Lines and other sensitive locations to introduce more effective measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.
The attack on the Kohat Police Lines mosque comes at a time when police and security forces across various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have remained on high alert due to ongoing terrorist incidents and security threats.
Following the latest incident, the scope of investigations has been expanded to trace the complete network behind the attack, including facilitators and alleged planners.
