At least 16 people were killed and more than 56 injured in a devastating suicide bombing at a mosque inside the Kohat Police Lines in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during Friday prayers, NDTV reported.

The attack involved an explosives-laden vehicle, gunfire exchanges, and left the mosque’s roof collapsed, with suspicion falling on militant groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and ISIL affiliates.

The bombing occurred in Kohat, around 60 kilometres southwest of Peshawar, when an attacker rammed an explosive-filled vehicle into the mosque premises. The blast was so powerful that the outer wall of the police offices collapsed, and the mosque itself was badly damaged. Smoke rose over the site, and witnesses reported hearing the explosion from a considerable distance.

Five police officers were among the dead, alongside civilians who had gathered for prayers. Hospital officials confirmed that most of the wounded were worshippers, with several in critical condition. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the rubble and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.

Police reported that multiple armed men attempted to enter the police compound after the blast, leading to an exchange of fire. At least six to seven attackers were killed in the gun battle that followed. The attackers’ coordinated assault highlighted the increasing sophistication of militant operations in the region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act and directing authorities to accelerate rescue operations. The Pakistani President also expressed sorrow and wished for the swift recovery of the injured. The Ministry of Interior reiterated that such actions would not weaken the nation’s resolve against terrorism.

The attack came just a day after a roadside bomb struck a security forces convoy in Hangu district, killing six soldiers. In parallel, government troops conducted raids in North Waziristan and Hangu, eliminating ten militants believed to be members of the Pakistani Taliban. These developments underscore the escalating militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has become a focal point of extremist activity.

The Pakistani Taliban, formally known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has stepped up attacks on police and civilians in recent years.

In 2023, a suicide bomber killed 101 people in a mosque in Peshawar, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the region.

The TTP remains separate from but allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban, which returned to power in 2021. Pakistan continues to accuse Kabul of sheltering the TTP and allowing cross-border attacks, though the Afghan government denies these allegations.

The Kohat bombing illustrates the persistent instability in Pakistan’s northwest, where militant groups exploit porous borders and local grievances. The collapse of the mosque roof and the scale of casualties highlight the devastating impact of such attacks on both security forces and civilians. The incident is expected to intensify calls for stronger counter-terrorism measures and regional cooperation.

Agencies