Mosque blown up as terrorists storm Kohat police facility

15 cops among 21 martyred in suicide blast Gunmen open fire after blast breaches wall Police say all seven attac

PESHAWAR/KOHAT:

At least 21 people, including 15 police officials, were martyred on Friday when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a mosque in Kohat Police Lines, followed by terrorists storming the compound and attacking police facilities, according to an initial incident report issued by DHQ Hospital Kohat medical superintendent and the district health officer.

All seven attackers were killed in the explosion and the gun battle that followed, police said in a statement.

The interior ministry said the "cowardly actions" of the attackers could not weaken the "nation's firm resolve".

The report said the blast occurred at approximately 1:20pm during Friday prayers at a mosque located at Police Lines on Hangu Road in Kohat, followed by a terrorist attack involving around five to seven terrorists.

Of the 21 people killed, 15 were police personnel and six were civilians. The report identified one of the deceased civilians as Dr Israel Khan Aurakzai, Chief District Specialist (Paediatrics) at Liaqat Memorial Hospital, Kohat.

It further said 103 injured people had been received at the two hospitals, including 13 at Liaqat Memorial Hospital and 90 at DHQ Hospital Kohat. The injured comprised 73 police personnel and 30 civilians.

Of the total injured, 34 were admitted for treatment, while five patients underwent laparotomy, a surgical procedure involving an incision into the abdomen.

The report said four of the patients who underwent laparotomy had been referred to tertiary care facilities in Peshawar for further treatment.

It added that the situation was being closely monitored and all possible medical assistance was being provided to the injured at the relevant health facilities.

According to the police, seven armed terrorists infiltrated the police lines following vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated at the boundary wall near the mosque. The police said six terrorists, including the suicide bomber, had been killed so far. Initially, a suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building after the explosion, it added.

Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers. Islamabad has repeatedly asked the Taliban regime to deny the use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. However, the de facto rulers in Kabul have been reluctant to take action against terrorist groups operating from their territory.

In a statement, K-P Police Public Relations director said the operation against the terrorists had entered its final stages under the direct supervision of the K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, with security personnel carrying out a clearance operation in the area.

Hameed said authorities were tracing the terrorists and their facilitators and would ensure their complete elimination. He stated that police and the Counter Terrorism Department were engaged in an operation against Fitna al-Khawarij inside the police lines compound.

"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.

Earlier, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi stated that 14 ambulances, rescue vehicles, a recovery vehicle and more than 45 rescue personnel were participating in the operation.

District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin was personally supervising the rescue operation, he said, adding that relief activities would continue until the operation was completed. He added that further details would be issued as more information was received.

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.

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

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