At least 21 people, including 15 police officals, were killed and more than 100 others injured after an explosion near a mosque during afternoon prayers in the Police Lines area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district on Friday.
According to the medical superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital, the 103 injured comprise 73 police personnel, and 30 civilians. He said 90 of the injured were brought to the DHQ, while the remainder were taken to Liaquat Memorial Hospital. Four critically injured patients have been referred to hospitals in Peshawar, he added.
Police said the explosion occurred during Friday prayers, leaving a crater outside the mosque. They confirmed police personnel were among those killed and injured. Following the blast, police deployed an additional contingent in the Police Lines. They also closed the Kohat-Hangu road to traffic. In a statement, the Central Police Office said seven attackers had entered the Police Lines and six had been neutralized. It said the clearance operation was in its final stages.
However, the operation lasted into Saturday morning, as the attackers managed to free several prisoners from the CTD Prison and briefly took control of an ammunition depot. Police said they had eventually countered all attackers and restored calm to the area.
Earlier, rescue officials had said the blast had severely damaged the mosque’s outer section, while one of its walls had also collapsed.
KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed told media the blast resulted from an explosives-laden vehicle hitting the Police Lines gate. “The vehicle hit the gate and then exploded, and firing also took place,” he said, adding it appeared to be a suicide bombing. He said a second suicide bombing was reported at the Special Branch building during the ensuing clash between terrorists and police.
“The blood of the martyrs will not go to waste,” he vowed, saying terrorists and their facilitators would face consequences. “The operation will continue until the complete elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij,” he added, referring to the state’s designation for terrorists of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Condemnations
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sought a detailed report on the incident, saying the targeting of innocent citizens was “deeply regrettable and unacceptable.” He also directed the relevant authorities to ensure the immediate treatment of the injured. “The nation’s morale cannot be dampened by cowardly acts of terrorism,” a statement issued by his office quoted him as saying.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast and prayed for the recovery of the injured. “The entire nation stands with the security forces to eradicate terrorism,” he said.
In a statement, President Zardari expressed grief over the deaths and injuries and directed authorities to ensure immediate and the best possible medical treatment for those affected. He said the complete elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorists was essential for national security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a separate statement condemning the incident, directing authorities to provide every possible facility to the affected people. He also sought a report from the relevant authorities regarding the nature and causes of the blast.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the early recovery of the injured. “We stand with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief,” he said, vowing the actions of the terrorists could not weaken the nation’s resolve.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the blast at the Police Lines and expressed deep grief over the loss of life. He said the entire nation was united against terrorism and stressed the need to strengthen the resolve for peace and stability.
Globally, the incident also prompted an outpouring of support and condemnations. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed its condemnation and strong denunciation of the terrorist attack targeting a mosque in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
U.K. High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said she was “appalled by the horrific attack” on the mosque. She stressed that “nobody should face violence in a place of worship” and expressed sympathy for those injured and people who lost loved ones.
The Embassy of Poland also strongly condemned the suicide attack, extending condolences to the victims’ families and wishing those injured a speedy recovery. It said Poland stood in solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane said he was “deeply saddened and appalled” by the incident. He offered condolences to those who lost loved ones and expressed solidarity with the injured and others affected.
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also condemned the explosion, expressing solidarity and full support for the government and people of Pakistan.
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack, saying the tragedy underscored the need for concerted efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It hoped that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice and conveyed condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the attack, reaffirming Doha’s firm rejection of violence, terrorism and criminal acts, regardless of their motives. It also stressed its opposition to targeting places of worship and terrorizing innocent people.
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said it was “deeply saddened” by the attack and strongly condemned all forms of terrorism. It offered condolences to the deceased victims and sympathies to the bereaved families, wishing those injured a speedy recovery. “The Chinese side stands in solidarity with Pakistan at this difficult time,” it said.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the explosion, which it said killed and injured police personnel and civilians. It reaffirmed its full solidarity with Pakistan and rejected all forms of violence and terrorism. It also conveyed condolences and sympathy to the Pakistani government, people and victims’ families, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The State of Palestine, in a statement, strongly condemned the terrorist attack. It expressed full solidarity with Pakistan’s leadership, government and people and conveyed its sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, praying for a speedy recovery for those injured. It also prayed for Pakistan’s safety and protection from all harm.