A SECURITY official tries to secure the crime scene as people gather to examine the damage to a mosque, following a gun-and-bomb attack on Kohat’s Police Lines.—Reuters

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district and called for those responsible, including their sponsors, to be held accountable.

At least 23 people, including 17 police officers and six civilians, were killed in the September 18 attack on the old Police Lines in Kohat.

According to police, the attackers detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a mosque during Friday prayers before storming the compound and targeting police facilities. Eight terrorists were killed during the subsequent operation by police and security forces.

In a statement issued by Council President Jérôme Bonnafont of France, UNSC members strongly condemned what they described as a “heinous and cowardly” suicide bombing at a mosque.

The members expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of those killed, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan. They also wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The Security Council stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

UNSC members also called for the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the attack to be held accountable and urged all countries to cooperate with Pakistan in bringing those responsible to justice.

The council reaffirmed that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, location, timing or perpetrators.

It also reiterated the obligation of all states to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

The attack was claimed by Ittehadul Mujahideen, a militant group led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur.

Following the attack, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police launched a clearance operation involving Elite Force commandos, Counterterrorism Department teams and security forces. Police later said key parts of the targeted buildings had been cleared.

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had ordered a detailed report into the incident and described the targeting of civilians as unacceptable.

The Kohat attack also revived memories of an earlier bombing in the area. In 2010, a remote-controlled bomb exploded inside a police colony near the Kohat Police Lines, killing 20 people and injuring more than 90 others.

Pakistan subsequently carried out military action against militant targets in the border region with Afghanistan. On Monday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the armed forces had conducted “calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist sites and killed more than 28 terrorists.

A day later, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Peshawar Corps headquarters and said the armed forces remained committed to defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting peace and stability, according to the military’s media wing.