Suicide bombing at Kohat police facility kills at least 16 during prayers

KOHAT, Pakistan — A suicide attacker drove an explosives-laden vehicle into a police facility in Kohat city on Thursday morning while worshippers were inside for prayers, killing at least 16 people including five police officers. The attack occurred at approximately 10:50 a.m. local time in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, sending shockwaves through the region as emergency crews rushed to the scene to recover bodies and treat the wounded.

The assailant, accompanied by gunmen who provided cover fire, targeted the compound which houses both police administrative offices and an active mosque used by officers and their families. The vehicle plowed through the perimeter defenses before detonating inside the prayer hall, causing a massive explosion that collapsed parts of the structure. Initial assessments indicate the blast was powerful enough to shatter windows in nearby buildings and ignite fires within the facility.

Among the dead are five uniformed police officers who were leading or attending the morning prayers. The remaining victims include civilians and security personnel present at the site. Local hospitals reported receiving dozens of injured individuals, many suffering from severe burns and trauma caused by flying debris. Medical teams worked through the afternoon to stabilize patients as authorities secured the perimeter to prevent further attacks.

Security forces immediately launched a manhunt for the gunmen who accompanied the suicide bomber. While the attacker died in the blast, witnesses reported that several armed individuals fled the scene shortly after the explosion, engaging in a brief exchange of fire with responding police units before disappearing into the surrounding urban area. Police have since cordoned off a wide radius around the facility and are conducting house-to-house searches in nearby neighborhoods.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the violence, though security analysts note that Kohat has been a frequent target for militant groups operating in the region. The timing of the assault, coinciding with prayer hours, suggests a deliberate attempt to maximize casualties among both security forces and civilians.

Provincial officials have declared a state of emergency in the district, suspending public gatherings and increasing checkpoints throughout the city. Authorities are urging residents to remain indoors as investigations continue. The attack marks a significant escalation in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns about the stability of security operations in the province.

As night fell on Thursday, recovery efforts continued at the charred remains of the mosque and police station. Families of the victims gathered outside the cordoned area, awaiting news of their loved ones. Investigators are working to identify the attackers and determine if there were accomplices still at large. With no claim of responsibility made, questions remain regarding the specific group behind the operation and whether further attacks are imminent in the coming days.