Seven armed terrorists infiltrated the Police Lines, while police and the Counter Terrorism Department have killed six attackers, including a suicide bomber and a sniper; the clearance operation has entered its final stages, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general of police and spokesperson said.
KOHAT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 18th Sep, 2026) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said an encounter between police and terrorists was continuing inside the Police Lines compound, adding that one terrorist had been killed so far.
Regarding the suicide attack during Friday prayers at the mosque adjoining Kohat Police Lines, the IG said an explosive-laden vehicle rammed the gate of the old Police Lines.
The vehicle exploded after the collision, followed by gunfire. During the firing, another suicide blast took place at the Special Branch building.
Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed said an exchange of fire with the armed terrorists was continuing after the blasts.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said the explosion occurred at around 1:15 p.m., while Central Police Office spokesperson Abdul Salam Khalid said the militants had targeted the Police Lines and the mosque located there.
Friday prayers were under way when the incident occurred.
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief, initial reports indicated that after the explosion, a suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch.
A Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police spokesperson said that seven armed terrorists infiltrated the Police Lines after the blast at the mosque. Police and the Counter Terrorism Department mounted a strong response, and according to the latest information, six terrorists, including a suicide bomber and a sniper, had been killed.
The clearance operation has entered its final stages.
The police spokesperson said the old Police Lines area is densely populated and busy, and that, besides the Counter Terrorism Department office, several other important offices are located there.
The spokesperson said the blast damaged the mosque’s outer wall and some buildings, while the encounter with the terrorists was still continuing. The Peshawar-Kohat Road has been closed to general traffic.
