Kohat Police Lines Blast Claims 16 Lives
In a devastating attack on the night of Thursday, a vehicle‑borne suicide bomber struck the gate of the Kohat Police Lines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killing 16 people, including five police officers, and injuring more than 50 others. The blast, which was later confirmed to have been carried out by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur‑led faction of Ittehadul Mujahideen, also triggered a fierce firefight between security forces and the attackers, resulting in the neutralisation of several militants.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed, the explosion initially hit the mosque area of the police complex before a second detonation near the Special Branch building. IG Hameed reported that the attackers had attempted to infiltrate the police lines after the first blast, and that six militants, including the suicide bomber, were killed during the ensuing clearance operation. The IG emphasised that the operation would continue until the complete elimination of the Fitna‑ul‑Khawarij, the state’s designation for Tehreek‑i‑Taliban Pakistan affiliates.
The incident has drawn condemnation from top officials across the country. President Asif Ali Zardari called the attack a “cowardly act” and vowed to eliminate foreign‑sponsored terrorists. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanded a detailed report and urged swift relief for the injured. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed their grief and pledged support for the victims. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi posted a statement on X, expressing sorrow for the loss of lives and reaffirming the nation’s resolve against terrorism.
The blast echoes a tragic event in 2010 when a remote‑controlled bomb killed 20 people, mostly relatives of police officers, inside a police colony near the same complex. Security forces have intensified patrols and intelligence operations in the region, while the federal government has announced additional resources for counter‑terrorism efforts. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by militant groups in Pakistan’s northwest and the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in safeguarding critical infrastructure.
