President Zardari, PM Shehbaz strongly condemn Kohat Police Lines blast

Naqvi, Afridi, Kundi also condemn attack, vow unity, back victims

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blast in Old Police Lines, Kohat, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.

In separate messages, they expressed deep grief and sorrow over the injuries suffered by several people in the blast.

Five police personnel were among 16 people killed and 54 others were martyred in an explosion near a mosque at Kohat Police Lines around Friday prayer, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police officials confirmed to The Express Tribune. According to the latest update from the Kohat police, seven armed terrorists infiltrated the police lines following the explosion at the mosque.

#CMKPK #SohailAfridi #ExpressNews #BreakingNews #LatestNews pic.twitter.com/rRvtkQ3hNs

— Express News (@ExpressNewsPK) September 18, 2026

The police said six terrorists, including the suicide bomber, had been killed so far. The clearance operation against the terrorists had entered its final stages, the police said. Initially, a suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building; after the explosion, police added.

President @AAliZardari and Prime Minister @CMShehbaz have strongly condemned the bomb blast in Old Police Lines, Kohat@PresOfPakistan @PakPMO #News #RadioPakistan https://t.co/UUeNmCZSXM

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) September 18, 2026

Both the president and prime minister directed the authorities to provide the injured with the best possible medical care immediately and prayed for their speedy recovery.

The president said that the complete elimination of Fitna-al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with foreign backing was inevitable for national security.

صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری کا کوہاٹ میں اولڈ پولیس لائنز کے قریب دھماکے کے نتیجے میں شہریوں کے زخمی ہونے پر اظہارِ افسوس۔

صدرِ مملکت کا دھماکے میں زخمی ہونے والے افراد کی جلد صحتیابی کے لیے نیک تمناؤں کا اظہار۔

صدرِ مملکت نے زخمیوں کو فوری اور بہترین طبی امداد فراہم کرنے کی…

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 18, 2026

Fitna Al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The prime minister sought a report from the authorities concerned on the blast and directed them to expedite relief operations.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the blast near the Old Police Lines in Kohat. He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives, conveying his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families of the martyrs. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کی کوہاٹ میں اولڈ پولیس لائن کے قریب دھماکے کی پرزور مذمت
وزیرداخلہ کا قیمتی انسانی جانوں کے ضیاع پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار
وزیرداخلہ کا شہداء کے لواحقین سے دلی ہمدردی و اظہار تعزیت
وفاقی وزیرداخلہ کی زخمیوں کی جلد صحتیابی کیلئے دعا

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) September 18, 2026

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief," stated Naqvi. He added that the cowardly acts of the Khawarij cannot weaken the firm resolve of the nation.

Read: 5 police officials, 11 civilians martyred in Kohat Police Lines blast; six terrorists killed in return

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.

وزیر اعلیٰ خیبرپختونخوا کا کوہاٹ اولڈ پولیس لائنز میں دھماکے کا نوٹس، واقعے کی شدید مذمت

وزیر اعلیٰ نے پولیس حکام سے واقعے کی رپورٹ طلب کر لی pic.twitter.com/tRvndvCGOf

— Information Department KP (@infokpgovt) September 18, 2026

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 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.

K-P Information Minister Shafi Jan strongly condemned the explosion near the Old Police Lines in Kohat on Friday, expressing deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives. According to initial reports, several citizens, including five police personnel, were martyred and injured in the blast.

He further said that Chief Minister Afridi took strict notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from relevant authorities, while an emergency was declared across Kohat hospitals.

Jan confirmed that directives had been issued to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the wounded. Describing the targeting of innocent citizens as an extremely regrettable and cowardly act, the minister stated that no religion, including Islam, permits such violence, adding that acts of terrorism would never demoralise the nation or succeed in their nefarious designs.

کوہاٹ میں پرانی پولیس لائن کے قریب دھماکہ انتہائی قابل مذمت اور افسوسناک ہے۔

ابتدائی اطلاعات کے مطابق دھماکے میں پانچ پولیس اہلکاروں سمیت متعدد شہری شہید و زخمی ہوئے، وزیراعلیٰ @SohailAfridiISF نے واقعے کا سخت نوٹس لیا ہے، وزیراعلیٰ نے متعلقہ حکام سے واقعے کی رپورٹ طلب کرلی… pic.twitter.com/NdZj3CFYuj

— Shafi Jan (@ShafiJanPTI) September 18, 2026

Global condemnation pours in as countries voice solidarity with Pakistan

Global condemnation poured in over the deadly terrorist attack in Kohat, with China, Russia, Qatar and Australia voicing solidarity with Pakistan and offering condolences to the families of those killed and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said it stood in solidarity with Pakistan at the difficult time.

“Deeply saddened by today’s terrorist attack in Kohat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which caused heavy casualties,” the embassy said in a statement on X.

Deeply saddened by today’s terrorist attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which caused heavy casualties. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased victims and sincere sympathies to the breaved…

— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) September 18, 2026

“The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemns all forms of terrorism,” it said, extending its deepest condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

“The Chinese side stands in solidarity with Pakistan at this difficult time,” the statement concluded.

The Russian Embassy in Pakistan also “strongly condemns” the terrorist attack at the Kohat Police Lines.

“This horrific tragedy has resulted in the loss of numerous precious lives, which once again underscores the urgent need for joint and coordinated efforts against all forms and manifestations of terrorism,” it said.

پاکستان میں روسی سفارت خانہ خیبر پختونخوا میں کوہاٹ پولیس لائنز میں آج ہونے والے دہشت گرد حملے کی شدید مذمت کرتا ہے۔

اس ہولناک سانحے میں متعدد قیمتی جانوں کا ضیاع ہوا، جو ایک بار پھر اس امر کی ضرورت کو اجاگر کرتا ہے کہ دہشت گردی کی ہر شکل اور ہر نوعیت کے خلاف مشترکہ اور مربوط… pic.twitter.com/czEfdosBlM

— Embassy of Russia in Pakistan (@RusEmbPakistan) September 18, 2026

The Russian embassy expressed hope that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice, saying it shared the grief of the families and friends of the deceased and wished the injured a swift recovery.

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the terrorist attack in K-P.

دانت وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين التفجير الذي وقع في إقليم خيبر بختونخوا في جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية الشقيقة.

وأكّد الناطق الرسمي باسم الوزارة السفير فؤاد المجالي وقوف المملكة وتضامنها الكامل مع حكومة وشعب باكستان، ورفضها جميع أشكال العنف والإرهاب التي تسعى لزعزعة الأمن… pic.twitter.com/DdaehxXJJT

— وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين الأردنية (@ForeignMinistry) September 18, 2026

Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Fuad Al-Majali affirmed the kingdom’s solidarity and full support for the government and people of Pakistan, and rejected all forms of violence and terrorism that sought to undermine security and stability.

Al-Majali expressed his deepest condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Pakistan and the families of the victims, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Qatar also condemned the attack targeting a mosque in K-P, stressing its “total rejection of targeting places of worship and terrorising civilians”.

“The State of Qatar expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted a mosque in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of northwestern Pakistan, and caused multiple deaths and injuries,” its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Statement | Qatar Condemns Attack Targeting Mosque in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Doha | September 18, 2026

The State of Qatar expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted a mosque in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of northwestern… pic.twitter.com/6On2SY2rF3

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) September 18, 2026

The ministry reiterated Qatar’s firm position against violence, terrorism and criminal acts, regardless of their motives or reasons, and stressed its “total rejection of targeting places of worship and terrorising civilians”.

It conveyed condolences to the families of the victims as well as the government and people of Pakistan, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane has condemned the explosion in Kohat. In a post on X, he wrote, "Deeply saddened and appalled by the reports of the explosion in Kohat today".

Deeply saddened and appalled by the reports of the explosion in #Kohat today. Our condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts are also with those injured and all affected by this terrible tragedy. 🇦🇺🇵🇰

— Timothy Kane (@AusHCPak) September 18, 2026

Our condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts are also with those injured and all affected by this terrible tragedy, the statement added.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott expressed shock over the attack, saying nobody should face violence in a place of worship.

Appalled by the horrific attack on a mosque in Kohat today. Nobody should face violence in a place of worship. My thoughts are with the injured and those who have lost loved ones.

— Jane Marriott (@JaneMarriottUK) September 18, 2026

In a post on X, Marriott said, “My thoughts are with the injured and those who have lost loved ones.”