A powerful bomb exploded Friday at a mosque near police offices in Kohat, northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 15 people and injuring 56 others, according to police and rescue officials.
The attack occurred in Kohat, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border, as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers. Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said an attacker apparently rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the mosque.
Bilal Faizi, a senior rescue official, said five police officers and 10 civilians were among those killed. Most of the injured were worshippers, and some remained in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Police also reported that at least two armed men attempted to enter the nearby police compound after the explosion, exchanging gunfire with officers. The blast severely damaged the mosque and the outer wall of the police offices, while smoke and debris covered the area.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He also directed authorities to accelerate rescue and emergency operations.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, authorities are likely to investigate possible links to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, which has increased attacks against security forces and civilians in recent years.
The bombing comes just a day after a roadside attack in neighboring Hangu district killed six soldiers. Pakistani security forces also reported killing 10 militants in separate operations in North Waziristan and Hangu.
The latest violence highlights the continuing security challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region that has experienced repeated militant attacks because of its proximity to Afghanistan.
Authorities have launched investigations into the bombing while emergency teams continue treating the injured and assessing the damage.
Swifteradio.com
