PESHAWAR — The security operation launched in the aftermath of the suicide attack on Kohat Police Lines has been completed, with police and security forces killing eight terrorists and clearing key buildings inside the compound, while the death toll from the assault and the ensuing exchange of fire has risen to 23.
Operation Completed, Buildings Cleared
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, eight terrorists were killed during the retaliatory operation by police and security forces. He said the operation against the attackers had been completed and that important buildings inside the police lines had been cleared.
The terrorists who had entered the Special Branch building inside the police lines were also killed during the operation. The clearance operation, which continued from the previous day, was completed by security forces after they cleared the area of the attackers.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Additional Inspector General personally led and supervised the operation. Terrorists targeted the Additional IG with a hand grenade during the operation, injuring his arm. After receiving medical treatment, the Additional IG returned to the site and continued supervising the operation.
IG Zulfiqar Hameed said Elite Force commandos, the CTD and security forces jointly completed the clearance operation. He added that the suicide bomber had failed in his attempt to target law enforcement personnel.
The KP police chief remained present at the site of the incident and said the CTD Additional IG, Regional Police Officer (RPO) and District Police Officer (DPO) led the operation. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kohat was also present at the site.
Death Toll Rises to 23
The death toll from the suicide attack and subsequent exchange of fire at Kohat Police Lines has risen to 23. The martyrs include an SP, a DSP and an inspector, along with several other police personnel.
The attack took place near the old Police Lines, where an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the area, followed by another suicide attack near the Special Branch building. The explosions caused heavy damage in the area, including to the outer portion of a mosque, while a wall also collapsed.
Following the explosions, seven armed militants infiltrated the Police Lines compound. Police and CTD personnel engaged the militants in an exchange of fire, during which a militant sniper was initially killed. Security forces subsequently launched a clearance operation to eliminate the remaining terrorists and secure the buildings.
More Than 100 Injured, Emergency Declared
Officials said 103 injured people were taken to hospital following the explosions, with several reported to be in critical condition. Thirty-four injured people remained under treatment, while five patients underwent laparotomy procedures and four critically injured patients were referred to hospitals in Peshawar.
The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where an emergency was declared following the attack. The Kohat-Hangu Road was also closed to traffic after the incident as rescue and security operations continued.
Rescue 1122 deployed 14 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel to support the emergency response. District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin supervised the rescue operation, with relief activities continuing until the operation was completed.
Rescue officials also recovered the bodies of two personnel from the rubble and shifted them to Kohat Hospital. Funeral prayers for the martyrs were offered after the attack.
IG Zulfiqar Hameed said the KP Police would continue to stand against terrorism and that such attacks would not undermine the resolve of its personnel. The KP inspector general also announced rewards for the personnel who participated in the operation and successfully completed the clearance of the police lines.
President, Prime Minister Condemn Attack
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives and injuries.
Zardari said the complete elimination of Fitnah al-Khawarij and terrorists was essential for national security and directed authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for those injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly condemned the blast and directed the relevant authorities to provide the injured with immediate and the best possible medical care. He also prayed for their speedy recovery and sought a report on the nature and causes of the attack.
The prime minister further directed authorities to expedite relief operations and ensure that all possible facilities were provided to those affected by the incident.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi also took notice of the explosion and sought a report from police authorities. He directed officials to use all available resources to provide immediate treatment to the injured and ensure necessary medical facilities at hospitals.
Afridi ordered arrangements for critically injured patients to be shifted to other hospitals where required and directed authorities to examine all aspects of the incident before submitting a detailed report.
With the clearance operation now completed, security forces have cleared the important buildings inside Kohat Police Lines and killed the terrorists involved in the attack. The operation was jointly carried out by the CTD, Elite Force commandos, police and security forces.
