A coordinated suicide and gun assault on the police lines compound in Kohat martyred at least 16 people, including five police personnel, and left several injured in critical condition, officials said. Seven militants, among them the suicide attackers, were killed as police and Counter Terrorism Department personnel fought a fierce gun battle to reclaim the site.
Explosives-Laden Vehicle Rammed Into Police Lines
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the area near the old police lines. Following the blast, a second suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building, martyring five police personnel and 11 civilians.
According to the IGP, seven armed militants infiltrated the police lines after an explosion at the mosque. Police and CTD personnel engaged the attackers in a heavy exchange of fire, initially killing a militant sniper.
He said the confrontation continued inside the police lines compound. By the time the clearance operation entered its final stages, seven militants, including the suicide bombers, had been killed.
Emergency Declared, Rescue Operation Underway
Police said the injured were being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where an emergency was declared following the explosions. Officials said 14 Rescue 1122 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel were taking part in relief operations at the site.
District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin was personally supervising the rescue effort, with relief activities set to continue until the operation is completed. The Kohat-Hangu Road was closed to all traffic after the incident.
IGP Vows ‘Iron Wall’ Against Terrorism
IGP Zulfiqar Hamid said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police stood as an “iron wall” against terrorism, adding that such cowardly attacks could not undermine their resolve.
President, Prime Minister Condemn Attack
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the injuries sustained by civilians in the blast near the Old Police Lines in Kohat.
In separate statements, the president and the prime minister expressed their good wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured and directed that they be provided immediate and the best possible medical treatment.
President Zardari said the complete elimination of Fitnah al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with foreign backing was imperative for national security.
The prime minister strongly condemned the blast and directed the relevant authorities to provide immediate and the best possible medical treatment to the injured, praying for their speedy recovery. He also sought a report from the relevant authorities on the nature and causes of the blast and directed that relief operations be expedited and all possible facilities be provided to the affected people.
KP Chief Minister Takes Notice
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi took notice of the explosion at the old police lines in Kohat and strongly condemned the incident.
The chief minister sought a report from police authorities and directed officials to use all available resources to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured.
He ordered hospitals to ensure prompt treatment and the availability of necessary medical facilities, while arrangements should be made to shift critically injured patients to other hospitals if required.
Afridi said targeting innocent citizens was highly regrettable and condemnable and directed authorities to examine all aspects of the incident and submit a detailed report.
