Summary At least 21 people, including five police personnel, were martyred in Kohat suicide attack, while seven terrorists were killed.
KOHAT (Dunya News) – At least 21 people, including five police personnel, were martyred in a suicide attack near the police lines in Kohat, while several injured remain in critical condition. Seven militants were also killed in the ensuing operation.
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, another suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building, killing five police personnel and 11 civilians.
The IGP said seven armed militants infiltrated the police lines after the explosion at the mosque. Police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel engaged the militants in a fierce gun battle, initially killing a militant sniper.
He said the confrontation between police, CTD personnel and the militants continued inside the police lines compound. So far, seven militants, including the suicide attackers, had been killed, while the clearance operation had entered its final stages.
According to police, the injured were being shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where an emergency had been declared following the explosions.
The Kohat-Hangu Road has also been closed to all traffic after the incident.
Officials said 14 Rescue 1122 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel were participating in relief operations at the site.
District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin was personally supervising the rescue operation, with relief activities to continue until the operation is completed.
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.
PM Shehbaz, President Zardari condemns Kohat blast
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the injuries sustained by civilians in a 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 in the blast and directed that they be provided immediate and best possible medical treatment.
President Zardari said that 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 expressed deep grief over the injuries sustained by several people.
He directed the relevant authorities to provide immediate and best possible medical treatment to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
The prime minister also sought a report from the relevant authorities on the nature and causes of the blast.
He directed that relief operations be expedited and all possible facilities be provided to the affected people.
KP CM takes notice of Kohat blast
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.
