Kathmandu, September 18
At least 16 people were killed and more than 30 injured in an explosion near a former police lines building in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP Zulfiqar Hamid said preliminary reports indicated that a vehicle loaded with explosives had rammed into the old police lines. He said an exchange of fire with armed militants was underway following the explosion.
According to the provincial police chief, preliminary details indicated that a suicide attacker detonated himself near the Special Branch following the explosion.
According to BBC Urdu, one militant was killed in the exchange of fire. Local police said the explosion occurred at around 1:15 pm local time on Friday.
Fourteen ambulances and more than 40 personnel have been deployed at the site for rescue operations.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Kohat explosion and expressed grief over the incident, in which a large number of people were injured.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif directed authorities to ensure immediate treatment for the injured.
He also sought a report from the concerned authorities on the cause of the explosion and directed them to expedite relief and rescue operations and provide all necessary facilities to those affected.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the Kohat explosion and expressed grief over the loss of life and property.
According to Peshawar police, 11 civilians and five police officers were killed in the explosion.
