5 police officials among 11 martyred in Kohat Police Lines blast; one terrorist killed in retaliation

Five police personnel were among 11 people killed in an explosion at Kohat Police Lines on Friday, while one terrorist was killed in a sniper engagement as the operation continued, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police said.

According to initial information, a suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building following the explosion.

“The operation will continue until the complete elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij,” the K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said. “The morale of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police is high. We will bring the terrorists to justice,” the IGP added.

Earlier, IG Hameed told The Express Tribune that an exchange of fire between police and armed terrorists was continuing after the blast. He added that police were present at the scene and the area had been placed on high alert.

The K-P police chief said initial information suggested that a vehicle loaded with explosives had been rammed near the Old Police Lines, although authorities were still determining the exact nature of the blast.

Hameed took notice of the explosion at a mosque in Kohat Police Lines and sought a report from the Kohat Regional Police Officer. He also directed officials to ensure that those injured in the explosion received timely and appropriate medical treatment.

“Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police is standing as an iron wall against terrorism. Cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve,” he said. “The blood of the martyrs will not go to waste. The terrorists and their facilitators will meet an exemplary fate,” he added.

Separately, spokesperson Faizi said several of the injured are in critical condition. The spokesperson said the rescue and relief operation was still underway, with the injured being provided immediate medical assistance and shifted to nearby hospitals in Rescue 1122 ambulances.

He said 14 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel were currently taking part in the operation at the site.

District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin was personally supervising the rescue operation, Faizi said, adding that relief activities would continue until the operation was completed.

“Rescue 1122 teams are engaged in relief operations at the scene,” Faizi said, adding that further details would be issued as more information was received.

K-P govt condemns attack

K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack and ordered authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for those injured in the blast. The chief minister sought a report on the incident from police authorities and described the attack as a “cowardly act of terrorism” that was “extremely regrettable and unacceptable”.

He directed officials to use all available resources to provide medical assistance to the injured and ensure hospitals had the necessary facilities for their treatment.

Afridi also ordered arrangements to transfer critically injured people to other hospitals if required and called for all aspects of the incident to be examined before a detailed report was submitted.

“Targeting innocent citizens is extremely regrettable and condemnable,” he said. “The cowardly acts of terrorism cannot break the nation’s resolve,” the chief minister added.

K-P's Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the explosion, calling for the injured to be provided with immediate and appropriate medical treatment.

“The explosion at Kohat’s old Police Lines was extremely regrettable and condemnable,” Kundi said. He said cowardly acts of terrorism could not shake the nation’s resolve and determination.

Kundi added that the entire nation stood with the security forces in the fight against terrorism. “The sacrifices of the security forces and people in the war against terrorism will not go in vain,” he said.

This is a developing story