Pakistan Mosque Bombing Kills 16, Injures 56 in Kohat

A suicide bomb attack at a mosque inside a police headquarters in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwestern Pakistan, has killed at least 16 people and injured 56 others, according to local officials.

The attack occurred on Friday as worshippers gathered for prayers. Police said an explosives-laden vehicle was driven into the entrance of the mosque, triggering a powerful blast.

Among those killed were five police officers and 10 civilians, while most of the injured were worshippers. Several victims were reportedly in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.

Following the explosion, armed men attempted to enter the police compound and exchanged gunfire with security personnel.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, both the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and an affiliate of ISIL (ISIS) operate in the region and have carried out attacks against security forces.

The bombing came a day after a roadside explosion in neighbouring Hangu district killed six soldiers. Pakistani security forces also said they killed 10 suspected TTP fighters during raids on Thursday.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered authorities to speed up rescue operations. The Interior Ministry also vowed that the attack would not weaken the country’s resolve against armed groups.

The attack highlights continuing security challenges in Pakistan’s northwestern areas near the Afghan border, where tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have also contributed to increased violence.

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