The Media Line: 6 Killed, 50 Injured as Suicide Bomber Targets Police Site in Kohat  

6 Killed, 50 Injured as Suicide Bomber Targets Police Site in Kohat  

By Arshad Mehmood / The Media Line   

At least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed when an explosives-laden vehicle was driven into the entrance of a Kohat police facility and detonated during Friday prayers.  

Kohat is located roughly 45 miles southwest of Peshawar, near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan.  

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid told reporters that the vehicle was deliberately driven into the gate of the old police headquarters before exploding.  

The blast was followed by an exchange of gunfire between police and gunmen, Hamid said.  

During the gun battle, another suicide explosion occurred at the Special Branch building, according to the provincial police chief.  

Provincial Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi confirmed to The Media Line that at least 50 people were injured and shifted to hospitals for treatment, adding that the number could rise.  

Faizi further told The Media Line that the blast caused extensive damage to the mosque’s outer section, while part of a wall also collapsed.  

According to a statement issued by Kohat police, six gunmen, including a suicide bomber, have so far been killed.  

Police sources said an intense exchange of fire was underway between security personnel and gunmen who had entered the building. Civilians trapped inside were subsequently rescued safely.  

Following the attack, Pakistan Army Quick Reaction Forces were deployed in Kohat to reinforce security and prevent further terrorist activity. Troops were positioned at key locations, while security was tightened around sensitive installations and other vulnerable sites.  

Terrorist violence has intensified in recent days across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the northwestern province bordering Afghanistan, with security forces, police and civilians repeatedly targeted in attacks that have caused multiple fatalities.  

Security forces have also continued operations against armed groups in various parts of the province.  

Amid the deteriorating security situation, the federal government recently designated 26 districts across six regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “hard areas.” Kohat is among the districts covered by the designation. 

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