Security forces successfully eliminated eight militants following a coordinated operation after a deadly assault on Kohat Police Lines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), officials confirmed on Saturday. The joint operation was launched in response to a blast targeting a mosque within the Police Lines during Friday prayers the previous day.
The explosion claimed the lives of at least 22 individuals, including 16 police personnel, and left 103 others wounded. KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed explained that an explosives-laden vehicle crashed into the gate of the old Police Lines before detonating. “The vehicle struck the gate and then exploded, followed by gunfire,” he said.
In a significant development, IGP Hameed added that a second suicide blast occurred at the Special Branch building amid the ensuing gun battle with the attackers. Meanwhile, Elite Force commandos, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) teams, and other security units cleared critical areas of the Police Lines during the operation.
The operation was directed by the Additional IG CTD, the Regional Police Officer (RPO), and the Kohat District Police Officer (DPO), with IGP Hameed and senior officials maintaining a continuous presence at the scene. He praised the bravery of the police, CTD, and security forces, noting their success after an overnight engagement.
Separately, the Pakistan Army initiated an operation following Fajr prayers, eliminating the last two suicide bombers who were hiding inside the Police Lines. This phase of the operation, which resulted in the deaths of seven militants overall, was directly overseen by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kohat. Army commandos, alongside bomb disposal teams, subsequently secured the area and handed control back to the police.
In a related incident, militants opened fire on a police post at the main gate of the Kohat district courts, causing damage but no casualties. Authorities responded by closing all offices and courts near the Police Lines and implementing heightened security measures.
An emergency was declared in Kohat, with intensified security checks at all city entry and exit points to prevent further threats.
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