Suicide attack at Kohat Police Lines mosque leaves 21 martyred, 103 injured; six militants killed

PESHAWAR/KOHAT: At least 21 people were martyred and more than 100 injured on Friday when a suicide bomber and armed militants attacked a mosque inside a police compound during Friday prayers in Kohat district, health officials said.

The attack targeted a mosque located within the Police Lines compound on Hangu Road in Kohat city at approximately 1:20 pm during Friday prayers, triggering an intense gun battle between security forces and militants.

An official casualty report issued by the District Health Officer and Medical Superintendent in Kohat confirmed that 21 people were martyred, including 15 police personnel and six civilians. Among the civilian victims was Dr Israel Khan Aurakzai, a senior pediatric specialist at Liaqat Memorial Hospital in Kohat.

A total of 103 people were injured in the attack, comprising 73 police officers and 30 civilians.

“A suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building following the initial blast,” police said in a statement earlier, adding that between five and seven militants were involved in the assault. Six terrorists were killed in the ensuing security operation as Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and police forces engaged the attackers inside the high-security compound.

Local health officials reported that 90 of the wounded were brought to District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital Kohat, while 13 were taken to Liaqat Memorial Hospital. Thirty-four patients were admitted for major surgery, with four critically injured victims transferred to tertiary care facilities in Peshawar for specialized treatment.

Earlier estimates by rescue officials and police had placed the death toll lower at 15 to 16, but the figure rose as health authorities consolidated emergency room reports from across the district.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly areas bordering Afghanistan, has seen a resurgence in militant violence targeting security personnel and government installations in recent months.

KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said earlier the provincial police had the full capability to eliminate the militants.

Fourteen ambulances, 20 rescue vehicles and a recovery vehicle, along with more than 60 rescue personnel, took part in the search and rescue operation, Rescue 1122 said.

Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police said around 25 people had been injured in the blast near the old Police Lines.

According to initial information provided by the KP police, an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed near the old Police Lines, although authorities were still determining the exact nature of the blast.

Inspector General of Police KP Zulfiqar Hamid had taken notice of the explosion at the Police Lines mosque and sought a report from the Regional Police Officer Kohat.

The KP police chief also directed officials to ensure timely and proper medical treatment for those injured in the blast.

A HUM News reporter at the scene said the road around the Police Lines mosque had been sealed off as security personnel engaged the attackers. Two blasts were heard near the mosque, followed shortly afterwards by a third explosion, the reporter said.

An explosion at a mosque during Friday prayers has left at least 5 dead and 33 injured in Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. As rescuers continue to search for more people, Police say they are still collecting evidence as to what might have caused the… pic.twitter.com/yP3rhZ17Uh

— Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) September 18, 2026

The IGP said the KP police stood as a “wall of steel” against terrorism and that such attacks would not weaken the force’s morale.

“The blood of the martyrs will not go to waste,” Hamid said, adding that militants and their facilitators would face severe consequences.

KP CM condemns Kohat Police Lines blast, seeks report

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday took notice of the blasts at the old Police Lines in Kohat and sought a report from police authorities, condemning the incident.

Afridi described the incident as a “highly regrettable and unacceptable” act of terrorism and directed authorities to use all available resources to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured.

He ordered hospitals to ensure prompt treatment and the availability of all necessary medical facilities for those wounded in the blast.

The chief minister also directed authorities to make arrangements to shift critically injured patients to other hospitals, if required.

“Targeting innocent citizens is highly regrettable and condemnable,” Afridi said.

He ordered officials to examine all aspects of the incident and submit a detailed report.

Afridi said “cowardly acts of terrorism” could not undermine the nation’s resolve.

KP governor condemns Kohat Police Lines blast

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday strongly condemned the blast at the old Police Lines in Kohat, describing the incident as deeply regrettable.

Kundi said such “cowardly acts” could not shake the nation’s resolve and courage.

He directed authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to those injured in the blast and prayed for their speedy recovery.

The governor said the nation stood with the security forces in the fight against terrorism.

He added that the sacrifices made in the war against terrorism would not go in vain.

President expresses sorrow over the blast

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the blast and conveyed his best wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured.

He directed the authorities to ensure that the injured receive immediate and the best possible medical treatment, saying the complete elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with external support was essential for national security.

PM condemns blast

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the explosion and expressed deep sorrow over the injuries. He directed the relevant authorities to provide immediate and the best possible medical care to the victims and prayed for their speedy recovery.

He also sought a report on the nature and causes of the explosion and ordered authorities to expedite rescue operations and provide all possible assistance to those affected.

Interior minister condemns blast, mourns loss of lives

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday strongly condemned the blast near the old Police Lines in Kohat and expressed deep grief over the loss of lives.

Naqvi expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“We stand with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief,” Naqvi said. He said the “cowardly actions” of the Khawarij could not weaken the nation’s resolve.

KP information minister condemns Kohat blast

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan on Friday strongly condemned the blast near the old Police Lines in Kohat and expressed grief over the deaths in the incident.

He said that emergency had been declared at hospitals in Kohat, while instructions had been issued to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to those injured, the minister said.

“Targeting innocent civilians is an extremely regrettable and cowardly act,” Jan said.

Shafi Jan also visited DHQ Hospital in Kohat and met people injured in the blast, inquiring about their health and treatment.

He received a briefing from the hospital administration on the medical facilities and treatment being provided to the injured and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care and attention.

Shafi Jan also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blast.

He said Islam, like other religions, did not permit such cowardly acts.

Jan, who is also members of KP Assembly from Kohat, said “cowardly acts of terrorism” could not undermine the nation’s morale and that militant elements would never succeed in achieving their objectives.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also condemned the Kohat blast and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Earlier this year, on February 6, a suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area killed at least 31 people and injured 169 others during Friday prayers.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, saying one of its militants detonated an explosive vest inside the congregation. Police sources told Reuters that the attacker had been intercepted at the mosque gate before detonating the bomb.