At least 21 people, including 15 police officers and six civilians, were killed and more than 80 wounded on Friday after a suicide bombing and armed assault on the Police Lines compound in Kohat, northwestern Pakistan.
Footage shows heavy destruction around the mosque inside the compound, with walls torn apart and debris scattered across the site. A nearby petrol station and motorcycles were also damaged, while troops, police and ambulances were deployed across the area.
Police said an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the compound during Friday prayers, before armed militants entered the site and attacked police facilities.
“We were offering prayers; it was the first rakat, we moved into ruku, and there was a blast. It turned into complete darkness and dust; we were hit by pieces of the bricks. We could not move, but then we left the mosque from the window; and two people entered from this wall into the mosque, and they were firing bullets,” said police officer Muhammad Yousaf.
“Some eyewitnesses have told us that it was a suicide attack by a vehicle, and then a few terrorists entered the compound. You can hear the sounds; the Inspector General Police KPK is leading the operation inside. […] All of our medical staff and young doctors are working hard,” said Shafi Jan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister.
Police said at least seven militants were involved in the assault. Six attackers were reported killed during exchanges of fire with police and the Counter Terrorism Department, while another suicide bomber targeted the nearby Special Branch building.
District health officials later put the death toll at 21, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, with more than 80 people injured.
The Ittehadul Mujahideen militant group, linked to commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Pakistani and international media reports.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered authorities to speed up rescue operations.
Source: Viory
