KOHAT – At least 15 people were martyred and several others injured in an explosion at a mosque inside the Police Lines in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to reports.
Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed said a vehicle loaded with explosives was rammed into the Police Lines premises.
Following the explosion, an exchange of fire was reported between security personnel and armed attackers, according to the police chief.
Local police said the injured were being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat, with several reported to be in critical condition. The hospital administration declared an emergency to deal with the casualties.
Rescue officials said 14 ambulances and more than 40 personnel were taking part in the emergency response.
Police said the area was cordoned off and the Kohat-Hangu Road was closed to all traffic. Additional security personnel were deployed near the Police Lines.
A local report said three explosions occurred one after another inside the Police Lines, while an encounter between the attackers and the Counter Terrorism Department was underway.
The provincial police chief said the authorities would pursue those responsible for the attack and their facilitators.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the explosion at the old Police Lines mosque in Kohat.
In his statement, the prime minister expressed deep grief over the injuries caused by the blast and directed authorities to ensure that the injured receive immediate and the best possible medical treatment.
He also prayed for the early recovery of those injured in the incident.
