KOHAT: At least 16 people, including five police personnel, were martyred in a suicide attack near the Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayers, officials said.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said an explosives-laden vehicle struck the entrance of the old Police Lines before detonating.
The blast was followed by an exchange of fire between police and the attackers, the provincial police chief said.
According to Hamid, a second suicide explosion occurred at the Special Branch building during the gun battle.
He said police had so far killed three militants during the exchange of fire.
The IGP said the KP police would continue to confront militant attacks and asserted that such incidents would not weaken the morale of the force.
He vowed that the sacrifices of the victims would not go in vain and said militants and their facilitators would be brought to justice.
Six militants killed
The Central Police Office (CPO) said seven armed militants managed to enter the Police Lines following the initial suicide attack.
Police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel launched an operation against the attackers, killing six of them, including a suicide bomber and a sniper.
The CPO said IGP Hamid had sought a detailed report from the Regional Police Officer in Kohat regarding the attack.
At the District Headquarters Hospital, Medical Superintendent Tahir Ali Shah said 15 bodies and more than 50 injured people were initially brought to the facility.
The hospital administration later confirmed that at least 25 injured people had been received for treatment.
Rescue officials said the explosion caused extensive damage to the outer portion of a mosque and also brought down a wall.
Emergency and rescue teams remained engaged in clearing the affected area and assisting the injured.
Authorities closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to traffic following the attack, while the DHQ Hospital administration declared an emergency to cope with the casualties.
Officials continued to investigate the circumstances and nature of the attack as security personnel remained engaged in an exchange of fire with the attackers.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other political leaders strongly condemned the suicide attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives.
President Zardari conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for those wounded.
He stressed the need to eliminate terrorism and what he described as Fitna al-Khawarij in the interest of national security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and directed authorities to provide all available facilities to those affected. He sought a report on the circumstances and causes of the incident.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of the injured.
Naqvi said the government stood with the families of the martyred personnel and civilians, adding that terrorist attacks would not weaken the country’s resolve against militancy.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident and sought a report from senior police officials.
Condemning the attack, Afridi directed authorities to utilise all available resources for the treatment of the injured and ensure adequate facilities at hospitals.
He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and called for a detailed report.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also denounced the attack and expressed sorrow over the deaths.
Bugti said the nation remained united in its opposition to terrorism and emphasised the need for continued efforts to promote peace and stability.
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