- Powerful blast at mosque in northwest Pakistan.
- At least 21 people killed during Friday prayers.
- Several others injured in the tragic incident.
Pakistan Mosque Blast: At least 21 people, including 16 policemen were killed, and over 78 were injured in a powerful blast at a mosque in northwest Pakistan during Friday's prayers. The blast occurred at the mosque located near the old Police Lines in Kohat, around 60 kilometres southwest of the provincial capital Peshawar, they said.
According to police, an attacker rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the mosque premises, following which an exchange of fire with armed militants took place.
What Authorities Said On Explosion
District Health Officer Kohat Dr Nasir Hussain said 21 people, including 16 police personnel and five civilians, were killed and 78 others injured in the explosion. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said that an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old police lines, triggering an explosion followed by gunfire.
Which Outfit Takes Responsibility?
A little-known militant group, Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, an alliance comprising the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Harakat Inqilab-e-Islami Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Islam, was formed in April 2025.
According to Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi, rescue teams reached the site shortly after receiving the information and launched a rescue operation.
He said several people were injured and were being shifted to nearby hospitals for initial medical treatment. The spokesperson said rescue teams were present at the scene and assessing the situation.
Five Security Personnel Killed
Pakistani news portal dawn.com reported that an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed into the building, triggering a massive blast claiming at least sixteen lives. Five security personnel were among the deceased.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed that the blast took place at a mosque at Kohat Police Lines, adding that an explosive-laden vehicle was crashed into the building.
Pakistani local media showed footage of the blast, in which thick smoke was seen over the mosque. People gathered at the building, which collapsed after the explosion. Locals and police personnel started a rescue operation and pulled people from the rubble. Locals helped security personnel to take the injured to the hospital.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Seeks Detailed Report
Reacting to the fatal explosion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sought a detailed report, directing authorities to launch a probe. He criticised the attack, saying hurting innocent citizens was “deeply regrettable and unacceptable".
(With PTI inputs)
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