The blast was reported near the Old Police Lines in Kohat, in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Around 21 Pakistani security personnel were killed and dozens more injured in a suicide bombing during Friday prayers at the police lines in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Around 80 individuals, mostly police personnel, were admitted to hospitals for treatment. The toll is likely to rise as many of the injured were reported to be critical.
An SP-rank officer, a deputy SP and three inspectors of the CTD were among those killed, sources said. Some civilians deaths are feared but their exact number could not be ascertained. The facility was struck post noon with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, enabling multiple attackers to force their way inside the premises, shooting indiscriminately. The explosion occurred near a mosque in the facility, reducing the building to rubble and prompting a major rescue and clearing operation. Three to five gunmen besides the driver of the car laden with explosives are suspected to have participated in the attack and were seen attempting to enter the police compound while exchanging fire. The car exploded after ramming into the mosque’s entrance wall. Videos uploaded by locals on social media showed the extent of the damage and people frantically running for cover amid dense smoke.