PESHAWAR: At least 21 people, including 15 police officials, were martyred on Friday when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a mosque in Kohat Police Lines, followed by terrorists storming the compound and attacking police facilities, according to senior police and district health officials.

District Health Officer Dr Nasir Hassan Afridi confirmed the toll to Dawn, adding that more than 80 people were injured, with three in critical condition.

Footage aired on television showed citizens gathered next to a building with a collapsed wall, digging through rubble and helping the injured. The bomb attack caused severe damage to the mosque structure.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed told Dawn that a vehicle-borne suicide bomber initially struck the building’s gate, following which several attackers headed towards the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) building, where they were neutralised. Around three others tried to move towards the Special Branch building.

The attack was claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen.

Meanwhile, the CTD said the Additional IG CTD had reached the site of the Kohat mosque blast, where an operation against the attackers was under way.

An exchange of fire between CTD personnel and the terrorists was ongoing, the department said, adding that the Additional IG had entered the site himself to take part in the operation and lead the personnel.

An initial handout from IG Hameed said the explosion occurred at a mosque at Kohat Police Lines. It added that initial reports suggested an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed into the building.

In a later statement, he said that a suicide bomber detonated himself near the Special Branch building, adding that an exchange of fire was underway with Fitna al Khawarij terrorists.

“The operation will continue until the complete elimination of Fitna-ul-Khawarij,” the IG was quoted as saying, adding that the police’s morale remained high.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

At around 3:30pm, police said the clearance operation was “in its final stages”.

The statement detailed that seven terrorists had attempted to infiltrate Police Lines after the explosion.

“So far, six terrorists, including a suicide bomber, have been killed,” the statement said.

Separately, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sought a detailed report on the incident, saying the targeting of innocent citizens was “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” as per a statement issued by his office.

He directed authorities to ensure immediate treatment for the injured. “The nation’s morale cannot be dampened by cowardly acts of terrorism,” he was quoted as saying.

In 2010, 20 people, mostly the relatives of policemen, were killed and more than 90 injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast inside a police colony located just behind the Kohat Police Lines.

Condemnations pour in

President Asif Ali Zardari, condemning the incident, vowed that the complete elimination of foreign-sponsored terrorists was “essential for national security”.

President Zardari wished the injured a swift recovery.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a report on the blast from the concerned authorities. He also directed authorities to expedite relief operations, Radio Pakistan reported.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast, praying for the recovery of the injured.

“The entire nation stands with the security forces to eradicate terrorism,” he said in a statement.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in his condemnation that terrorists’ “cowardly acts cannot weaken the nation’s resolve”.

A statement posted on his ministry’s X account said Naqvi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the attack and extended condolence to the bereaved.

“The nation is standing with the families of the martyrs in this moment of grief,” he was quoted as saying.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.