According to the latest update on the Kohat Police Lines blast on Friday, 16 people have been martyred and 57 have been injured.
A powerful explosion occurred near the Police Lines mosque in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) during Friday prayers.
It resulted in the martyrdom of at least 16 people and injuries to at least 57 others, including police personnel.
Kohat Police Lines blast
According to sources, the Fitna-al-Khawarij detonated an explosives-laden vehicle in the area between the old Police Lines mosque and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) office.
Rescue teams quickly engaged in relief activities at the site. Emergency personnel are also continuing their response.
Police stated that the explosion severely damaged the mosque’s exterior and caused a wall to collapse. According to reports, nearby buildings also sustained damage.
Operation against the terrorists
According to reports, the operation against the terrorists had entered its final stages under the direct supervision of K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed. Security forces were conducting a clearance operation in the area.
Hameed said authorities were tracking the terrorists and their facilitators and would make sure of their complete elimination.
He added that the police and Counter Terrorism Department were carrying out an operation against Fitna al-Khawarij inside the police lines compound.
“Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police is standing as an iron wall against terrorism. Cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve,” Hameed said.
He added that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not be in vain and that the terrorists and their facilitators would face an “exemplary fate.”
Earlier, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said more than 30 injured people and seven bodies had been taken to nearby hospitals, Express Tribune reported.
Several of the injured were in critical condition, while the search and rescue operation was still underway.
Faizi said 14 ambulances, rescue vehicles, a recovery vehicle and more than 45 rescue personnel were taking part in the operation.
He added that District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin was personally supervising the rescue efforts, which would continue until the operation was completed.
