At least 16 people, including five policemen, were killed and dozens wounded in an attack on the Old Police Lines in Kohat on Friday, as security forces engaged militants inside the compound, officials said.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the Police Lines, while another suicide attacker subsequently detonated explosives near the Special Branch building.
The attacks left five police personnel and 11 civilians dead, while several of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition.
The IGP said police and Counter Terrorism Department personnel were engaged in an operation against militants inside the Police Lines compound, adding that one attacker had been killed.
The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where an emergency was declared following the attack.
Police closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to traffic as additional contingents were deployed in the area.
Rescue officials said 14 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel were taking part in relief operations. District Emergency Officer Noorul Amin was supervising the operation.
The IGP said the KP police remained determined to combat terrorism and vowed that those responsible for the attack and their facilitators would be brought to justice.President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives and injuries.
He said the elimination of militants — referred to by the government as “Fitna al-Khawarij” — and those receiving foreign support was essential for national security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and directed the authorities to ensure immediate and adequate medical treatment for the wounded.
He sought a report on the attack and ordered the authorities to expedite rescue and relief operations and provide all possible assistance to those affected.Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sought a report from police authorities and directed officials to use all available resources for the treatment of the injured.
He ordered hospitals to ensure the availability of necessary medical facilities and make arrangements to shift critically wounded patients to other hospitals if required.
The chief minister condemned the targeting of civilians and directed the authorities to investigate all aspects of the attack and submit a detailed report.
