Summary Police and CTD launch clearance operation after armed militants infiltrate compound
KOHAT (Dunya News) – At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred and 103 others injured in a suicide attack near the old Police Lines in Kohat on Friday, while seven terrorists were killed during a subsequent security operation.
Several injured people were reported to be in critical condition, while authorities launched rescue and clearance operations following the explosions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the old Police Lines, followed by another suicide attack near the Special Branch building. The explosions caused heavy damage in the area, including to the outer portion of a mosque, while a wall also collapsed.
The IGP said seven armed militants infiltrated the Police Lines compound after the attack. Police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel engaged the militants in an exchange of fire, initially killing a militant sniper. He later said seven terrorists, including suicide attackers, had been killed and the clearance operation had been completed.
According to officials, 103 injured people were taken to hospital following the explosions. Thirty-four injured people were under treatment, five patients underwent laparotomy procedures, while four critically injured patients were referred to hospitals in Peshawar.
The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where an emergency was declared after the attack. The Kohat-Hangu Road was also closed to all traffic following the incident.
Rescue 1122 deployed 14 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel to support the emergency response. District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin supervised the rescue operation, with relief activities continuing until the operation was completed.
IGP Zulfiqar Hamid said the KP Police would continue to stand against terrorism and that such attacks would not undermine the resolve of its personnel.
Condemnations
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of life and injuries. Zardari said the complete elimination of Fitnah al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with foreign backing was essential for national security. He directed authorities to ensure the provision of immediate medical treatment to those injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly condemned the blast and directed the relevant authorities to provide the injured with immediate and best possible medical care. He also prayed for their speedy recovery and sought a report on the nature and causes of the attack. The prime minister further directed authorities to expedite relief operations and ensure that all possible facilities were provided to those affected by the incident.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi also took notice of the explosion and sought a report from police authorities. He directed officials to use all available resources to provide immediate treatment to the injured and ensure necessary medical facilities at hospitals.
Afridi ordered arrangements for critically injured patients to be shifted to other hospitals where required and directed authorities to examine all aspects of the incident before submitting a detailed report.
