KOHAT: Police and security forces have concluded an overnight operation at the Kohat Police Lines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a deadly attack left 22 people, including 16 police officials, martyred and 103 others injured, officials said Saturday.
The operation was launched after an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old Police Lines and exploded during Friday prayers. The blast targeted a mosque inside the Police Lines, while militants also exchanged fire with security personnel.
According to the Central Police Office (CPO), eight militants were killed during the joint operation carried out by police and security forces.
KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said law enforcement agencies achieved success after an overnight operation, praising police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces for their efforts.
“The police, CTD and security forces fought bravely,” the IGP said.
Security forces clear key areas
The CPO said Elite Force commandos, CTD teams and security personnel cleared key sections of the Police Lines during the operation.
The operation was led by the Additional Inspector General of CTD, Regional Police Officer and Kohat District Police Officer, while IGP Hamid and other senior officials remained at the site throughout the operation.
Security sources separately said the Pakistan Army launched its operation after Fajr prayers and killed the last two suicide bombers hiding inside the Police Lines.
The sources initially put the number of militants killed during the operation at seven and said the operation was directly supervised by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kohat.
Army commandos, security personnel and bomb disposal teams subsequently cleared the area before handing it back to police, according to the sources.
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Attack claimed 22 lives
The attack began when an explosives-laden vehicle struck the gate of the old Police Lines before detonating, according to the KP police chief.
“ The vehicle hit the gate and then exploded, and firing also took place,” IGP Hamid told Geo News.
He also said another suicide blast occurred at the Special Branch building during the exchange of fire between security personnel and the attackers.
The deadly assault claimed the lives of 22 people, including 16 police officials, while 103 others sustained injuries, according to officials.
Security tightened across Kohat
In a separate incident following the attack, militants opened fire on a police post located at the main gate of the Kohat district courts, damaging the post.
Police said no casualties were reported in the firing.
Authorities subsequently closed offices and district courts in the vicinity of the Police Lines as additional security measures were implemented.
An emergency was also declared in Kohat, with police intensifying checking at all entry and exit points of the city.
Security personnel remained deployed in and around sensitive locations as authorities continued efforts to maintain security following the attack.
