Kohat Mosque Blast in Pak Kills 21, More Than 80 Injured
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New Delhi, Sept 19: At last 21 people were killed and more than 80 injured after an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into a mosque inside the Police Lines complex in Kohat district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during Friday prayers, officials said.
The bombing caAme a day after a roadside attack on a security forces convoy in neighbouring Hangu district killed six soldiers. Pakistani security forces had also conducted raids against militants in several areas, killing 10 suspected militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
The powerful explosion brought down part of the mosque building and triggered a major rescue operation. Emergency teams and local residents searched through the rubble for survivors, while the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The blast was followed by an exchange of fire between security personnel and armed attackers who attempted to storm the police compound. At least two gunmen were killed in the firing, while another group reportedly moved towards the Special Branch building, according to local reports.
PAK IS FALLING APART FROM WITHIN.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) September 18, 2026
THIS IS THE MOMENT THE BLAST TRIGGERED MAYHEM IN PAK'S RESTIVE KPK PROVINCE
Suicide blast hits Kohat Police Lines & CTD office. 20 killed, 55 injured. 44 police personnel among the injured. Gunmen reportedly launched a follow-up assault. All… pic.twitter.com/q6l2vaIO6W
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed said the explosion occurred inside the mosque in the Police Lines complex and described those involved in the subsequent attack as armed terrorists. Roads leading to the site were closed as security forces and rescue teams continued operations.
The attack was claimed by a separatist group led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur. However, authorities were yet to establish the precise nature of the attack or definitively identify all those responsible.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.