Kohat Police Lines Blast: Five Policemen Martyred, 57 Injured
Authorities say over 50 injured; K-P police chief says operation against terrorists enters final stages
PESHAWAR: Five police personnel were martyred and 57 others were injured after an explosion near the Old Police Lines in Kohat during Friday prayers, according to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police officials.
Police said seven armed terrorists entered the police lines following the blast. Six terrorists, including a suicide bomber, were killed during the security operation, while a clearance operation continued inside the compound.
According to police, a suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building after the initial explosion.
Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan has repeatedly called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory for attacks inside Pakistan.
K-P Police said the operation had entered its final stages under the supervision of Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed. Police and the Counter Terrorism Department were conducting a clearance operation inside the police lines.
Authorities were also working to trace the attackers and their alleged facilitators, police said.
Rescue operation underway
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said more than 30 injured people and seven bodies had been shifted to nearby hospitals. He said several injured people were in critical condition.
Fourteen ambulances, rescue vehicles, a recovery vehicle and more than 45 rescue personnel took part in the emergency response.
District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin supervised the rescue operation, with relief activities continuing at the site.
President Zardari, PM Shehbaz condemn attack
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the explosion at the Old Police Lines in Kohat.
In separate statements, they expressed grief over the deaths and injuries and offered condolences to the families of those killed.
President Zardari said eliminating terrorist groups and what he referred to as Fitna-al-Khawarij was necessary for national security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a report from the authorities and directed officials to speed up relief and rescue operations.
Mohsin Naqvi expresses grief
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the police personnel killed.
Naqvi said the government stood with the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
K-P government orders medical assistance
K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and directed authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.
He sought a detailed report from police authorities and ordered officials to use all available resources to provide medical assistance.
The chief minister also directed hospitals to make arrangements for transferring critically injured patients to other medical facilities if required.
K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast and called for immediate medical treatment for the injured.
Meanwhile, K-P Information Minister Shafi Jan said initial reports indicated that civilians were also among those killed and injured. He said emergency measures had been introduced at hospitals in Kohat and directed officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
