KOHAT (Dunya News) – At least 16 people, including five police personnel, were martyred in an explosion near the police lines in Kohat, while several injured people remain in critical condition.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the area near the old police lines. He said another suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building following the blast, killing five police personnel and 11 civilians.
The IGP said an encounter between police and Counter Terrorism Department personnel and militants from Fitna al-Khawarij was ongoing inside the police lines compound. He added that one militant had so far been killed.
According to police, the injured were being shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where an emergency had been declared. The Kohat-Hangu Road has also been closed to all traffic following the incident.
Officials said 14 Rescue 1122 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel were taking part in relief operations at the site.
District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin is personally supervising the rescue operation, which will continue until the operation is completed.
IGP Zulfiqar Hamid said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police stood as an “iron wall” against terrorism, adding that such cowardly attacks could not undermine their resolve.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and said the complete elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with external support was essential for national security.
PM Shehbaz, President Zardari condemns Kohat blast
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the injuries sustained by civilians in a blast near the Old Police Lines in Kohat.
In separate statements, the president and the prime minister expressed their good wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blast and directed that they be provided immediate and best possible medical treatment.
President Zardari said that the complete elimination of Fitnah al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with foreign backing was imperative for national security.
The prime minister strongly condemned the blast and expressed deep grief over the injuries sustained by several people.
He directed the relevant authorities to provide immediate and best possible medical treatment to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
The prime minister also sought a report from the relevant authorities on the nature and causes of the blast.
He directed that relief operations be expedited and all possible facilities be provided to the affected people.
KP CM takes notice of Kohat blast
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi took notice of the explosion at the old police lines in Kohat and strongly condemned the incident.
The chief minister sought a report from police authorities and directed officials to use all available resources to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured.
He ordered hospitals to ensure prompt treatment and the availability of necessary medical facilities, while arrangements should be made to shift critically injured patients to other hospitals if required.
Afridi said targeting innocent citizens was highly regrettable and condemnable and directed authorities to examine all aspects of the incident and submit a detailed report.