Peshawar, September 18, 2026: At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred and 57 others injured on Friday when an explosives-laden vehicle struck the Police Lines compound in Kohat during Friday prayers, followed by an armed assault on police facilities, officials said.
The attack took place at a mosque inside or adjoining the Old Police Lines, where police personnel and others had gathered for Friday prayers. The powerful explosion severely damaged the mosque and surrounding structures, while part of a wall collapsed.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said a vehicle-borne suicide bomber initially rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the gate of the police facility. Several attackers then attempted to enter the compound and move towards the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Special Branch buildings.
According to police accounts, seven attackers attempted to breach the compound. Some moved towards the CTD building, where they were engaged and neutralised, while around three others headed towards the Special Branch building. Police said six attackers, including the suicide bomber, were subsequently killed during the operation.
An exchange of fire continued inside the compound as security personnel carried out a clearance operation. The CTD said its Additional Inspector General reached the site and took part in supervising the operation.
Police said the clearance operation would continue until the remaining threat inside the compound was eliminated. The KP police chief also said the morale of the police force remained high.
The state uses the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Rescue operation
Rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately after the explosion and began evacuating the injured. Rescue 1122 said multiple ambulances and personnel were deployed for the emergency response, while the injured were shifted to hospitals, including Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Kohat.
Television footage showed citizens and rescue workers gathered near a building with a collapsed wall, digging through rubble and helping the injured. The blast caused extensive damage to the mosque and nearby structures.
The Kohat-Hangu Road was also closed to traffic following the attack as security forces cordoned off the area and launched search and clearance operations.
The exact casualty figures changed during the day as rescue and identification operations continued. Earlier reports had put the number of dead and injured considerably lower, while later international reporting cited 21 deaths and around 80 injuries.
Claim of responsibility
The Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack, according to local media.
The development came amid continuing militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly attacks targeting security personnel and police installations.
CM seeks detailed report
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the attack and sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities.
In a statement, he described the targeting of innocent citizens as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable” and directed officials to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.
“The nation’s morale cannot be dampened by cowardly acts of terrorism,” he was quoted as saying.
In a separate video message, Afridi said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had sacrificed more than 80,000 lives for Pakistan and continued to bear the brunt of the fight against terrorism.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is Pakistan’s frontline province in the war against terrorism,” he said, adding that peace in Islamabad and other parts of the country had also been secured through sacrifices made by the people of the province.
He criticised remarks that, in his view, portrayed the people of KP as terrorists, saying such statements reopened their wounds and disrespected the sacrifices of their martyrs.
Referring to comments attributed to the chief minister of another province, Afridi said it was regrettable to suggest that the threat to Pakistan came from other provinces rather than India. He said KP and the other provinces were patriotic and had sacrificed for the country.
“Pakistan is our country, and we will not allow any conspiracy to succeed,” he said, adding that efforts to create divisions, prejudice and hatred among the people would be thwarted.
President, PM condemn attack
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the Kohat attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives.
He said the complete elimination of what the state describes as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and other terrorists was essential for national security, while also wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and sought a report from the concerned authorities. He directed officials to expedite rescue and relief operations and ensure medical assistance for those injured.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the blast and prayed for the recovery of the injured.
“The entire nation stands with the security forces to eradicate terrorism,” he said in a statement.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, saying such acts could not weaken the nation’s resolve.
In a statement posted by the Interior Ministry on X, Naqvi expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
“The nation is standing with the families of the martyrs in this moment of grief,” he was quoted as saying.
International condemnation
The United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Pakistan condemned the attack and expressed shock over the violence.
“I am appalled by the horrific attack” in Kohat, Jane Marriot said, adding that nobody should have to face violence in a place of worship. She expressed her thoughts for those injured and those who lost loved ones.
Russia’s embassy in Pakistan also strongly condemned the attack.
“This terrible tragedy, which claimed numerous lives, once again underscores the need for concerted efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the embassy said.
The Russian mission said it hoped those responsible would be identified and brought to justice, adding that its thoughts were with the families and friends of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
