KOHAT – A clearance operation launched after a suicide blast and subsequent militant attack at a mosque inside the Old Police Lines in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been completed after nearly 22 hours.
The Central Police Office has confirmed the development stating that the operation resulted in the killing of all eight militants, while the death toll from the attack rose to 23.
It said Elite Force commandos, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) teams and security forces cleared key sections of the buildings during the operation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said the suicide bomber had attempted to target law enforcement personnel but failed to achieve his objective. The police chief remained at the site during the operation and encouraged the personnel involved.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kohat was also present during the operation, while the Additional Inspector General of CTD, Regional Police Officer Kohat and District Police Officer Kohat led the clearance effort.
According to the Central Police Office, law enforcement agencies completed the operation following an overnight engagement with the militants.
The provincial police chief praised the officers and personnel involved and announced rewards for those who took part in the operation. He said police, CTD personnel and security forces had confronted the attackers during the operation.
Earlier, the CTD said the Additional IG CTD had remained on the frontline since the previous afternoon during the operation against the militants. The statement said he sustained a hand injury in a grenade attack carried out by the militants.
The attack began during Friday prayers at the mosque in the Old Police Lines on Hangu Road in Kohat at around 1:20pm, according to the initial report. The explosion was followed by an attack involving armed militants who entered the police lines.
The initial report said 21 people had been killed, including 15 police personnel and six civilians. Among the civilian victims was Dr Israr Khan Orakzai, a chief district specialist in pediatrics. Other victims were associated with Liaquat Memorial Hospital in Kohat.
The initial report also said 103 people were injured, including 73 police personnel and 30 civilians. A total of 34 injured people were admitted to hospitals, while five patients underwent laparotomy procedures. Four of those patients were subsequently shifted to major medical facilities in Peshawar for further treatment.
Following the attack, funeral prayers for those killed were held at the Kohat Police Lines. The provincial police chief and other senior officials attended the funeral, while police personnel presented a salute to the victims.
The bodies of those killed were later transported to their respective hometowns.
The authorities said they were continuing efforts to trace the militant network and its facilitators following the attack.
