PESHAWAR, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19th Sep, 2026) Grief and mourning, along with widespread condemnation, prevailed across Kohat following a devastating suicide attack on a mosque in the old police lines during Friday prayers that left 22 people dead, including 15 policemen, and more than 103 others injured.
The powerful suicide blast, which occurred at around 1:20 pm on the Hangu-Kohat Road, followed by a gun assault by a group of about seven terrorists, sent shockwaves through the city as worshippers and security personnel rushed to rescue the injured from the collapsed mosque.
According to a Kohat police spokesman, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the outer wall of the mosque while worshippers were offering Friday prayers.
The attack was followed by an attempted infiltration of the police lines by armed militants that was foiled.
A police spokesman said about seven terrorists attempted to enter the police lines following the powerful explosion that razed the mosque structure.
He said six, including the suicide bomber, were killed during an ensuing encounter, while security personnel continued efforts to secure the area.
The attack primarily targeted police personnel and officials of the Counter Terrorism Department stationed in the police lines.
Of the 22 people martyred, 15 were police personnel and seven were civilians. A total of 103 injured people were shifted to Liaqat Memorial Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital Kohat. The injured included 73 police personnel and 30 civilians.
At least 34 injured people were admitted for treatment, while five underwent laparotomy, a surgical procedure involving an incision into the abdomen. Four of those patients were subsequently referred to tertiary-care hospitals in Peshawar for further treatment.
Khaliqur Rehman, KP health minister, said all possible medical assistance was being provided to the injured.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Director Public Relations, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed monitored the security situation along with other senior officials and personnel after the blast and gun attacks.
The IGP said authorities were working to identify and trace the facilitators of the attack, adding that police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had fought militants during the operation inside the police lines compound with bravery.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is standing as an iron wall against terrorism. Cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve,” he said. “The blood of the martyrs will not go to waste. The terrorists and their facilitators will meet an exemplary fate,” IGP said.
The IGP said that the clearance operation has been completed and the attackers were killed.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said 14 ambulances, rescue vehicles, a recovery vehicle and more than 45 rescue personnel took part in the emergency response.
District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin personally supervised the rescue operation, he added, saying relief activities would continue as required.
The attack has left residents of Kohat deeply shaken and condemned the attack on peaceful worshipers. Mohammad Rehan, a longtime resident, said the killing of innocent people in the attack had caused profound grief and sorrow among the local population.
“This is a place where everyone came for worship. To see this kind of suicide attack on peaceful worshippers is unbearable,” he said. “We are in deep shock. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones.”
Following the tragedy, residents gathered at local mosques and at the homes of victims to offer condolences and Fateha. Blood-donation drives were also organized to help those injured in the attack.
“We are all connected here,” said another resident, Rehman Ullah. “It doesn’t matter who you are; this attack has affected us all deeply, signifying that terrorists have no regard for humanity and Islam.”
Religious scholars of different schools of thought also condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation, as well as bringing facilitators to justice.
Professor Dr Abdul Ghafoor, former director of the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre in Peshawar, described the attack on worshipers at Kohat mosque as highly deplorable and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
“Attacking peaceful worshippers is a cowardly act that has no justification. islam strictly forbids all forms of terrorism,” he said.
PMLN Nowshera President, while condemning the attack, questioned the PTI Govt’s counter-terrorism policy and called for decisive action against terrorism.
He asked CM KP to focus on security and governance rather than long marches.
The provincial government has pledged full support to the families of the victims, while emergency relief efforts remain underway to assist those injured.
As authorities continue their investigation, including geofencing efforts, Kohat remains engulfed in grief and sorrow on Saturday. Residents have gathered to mourn the victims, support the injured and stand with the affected families in the aftermath of the devastating attack.
