At least 27 people have been killed and dozens injured after a suicide bomb attack targeted a mosque at a police headquarters in Kohat, northwestern Pakistan, during Friday prayers.
The attack occurred when an explosive-laden vehicle was driven into the entrance of the mosque within the police complex in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghan border. The blast severely damaged the mosque and caused the outer wall of the police station to collapse.
A faction of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known as Ittehadul Mujahideen and linked to Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the attack. Police said gunmen also attempted to enter the compound after the explosion, triggering a gun battle with security personnel.
Officials said the victims included civilians and police officers, while more than 50 people were initially taken to hospitals with injuries. Other sources put the number of wounded at about 75, with rescue officials saying many of the injured were worshippers.
The attack came a day after a roadside bomb killed six soldiers in neighbouring Hangu district, highlighting continued security concerns in Pakistan’s northwestern region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered authorities to accelerate rescue operations.
