Eight militants killed as Kohat police lines operation ends after 22 hours

Eight militants were killed after police and security forces completed an overnight clearance operation at the old Kohat Police Lines, the Central Police Office said on Saturday.

The operation followed an attack on the Police Lines mosque that martyred 23 people and injured 130, according to officials. Militants subsequently infiltrated the compound, prompting a prolonged security operation involving Elite Force commandos, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) teams and other security forces.

Security sources said Army commandos launched the final phase of the operation after dawn, killing the remaining militants, including two suicide bombers who had taken shelter inside the police lines. Key sections of the buildings were subsequently cleared, the sources said.

The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kohat, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid remained at the scene and monitored the operation.

The Additional IG CTD, Regional Police Officer Kohat and District Police Officer Kohat also led the operation, according to the GOC.

Hamid said a suicide bomber had attempted to target law-enforcement personnel but the attempt was foiled. He praised the police, CTD and security forces for their role and announced rewards for officers who took part in the operation.

“We have foiled the militants’ nefarious designs and will ensure their complete elimination,” Hamid said.

The CTD said its additional inspector general had remained on the frontline since Friday afternoon to oversee the operation. He was injured in the hand when militants targeted him with a grenade, but returned to the frontline after receiving initial medical treatment, according to the department.

The attack began at around 1:20 p.m. on Friday during prayers and was followed by an intense exchange of fire between security forces and the attackers. Police said a suicide bomber detonated himself near the Special Branch building following the initial blast.

Authorities had initially estimated that between five and seven militants were involved in the attack. Security officials later said eight militants had been killed during the clearance operation.

The operation continued through the night before security forces declared key parts of the compound cleared.

Earlier casualty figures put the death toll at 21, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, with 103 people injured. The latest figures, however, put the toll at 22, with 130 injured.

Of the 103 injured reported earlier, 73 were police officers and 30 civilians. Thirty-four patients required major surgery, while four critically injured victims were shifted to hospitals in Peshawar for specialised treatment.

Rescue 1122 deployed 14 ambulances, 20 rescue vehicles, a recovery vehicle and more than 60 personnel to the operation.

No group had immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Condemnations

The blast drew widespread condemnation from the country’s political leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Information Minister Shafi Jan and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of life.

The leaders called for the injured to receive the best possible medical treatment. Afridi sought a detailed report into the incident and directed authorities to ensure emergency medical facilities, while Zardari said eliminating Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with external support was essential for national security. Naqvi expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said the attacks could not weaken the nation’s resolve.