A car bomb explosion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on Friday, sent at least 16 people to their deaths and injured more than 30. The incident took place during Friday prayers at a mosque located in the premises of the old police headquarters in Kohat, where people had gathered for worship.
Details of the Incident
The bomb-laden vehicle collided with the mosque as soon as it entered the premises, causing a massive explosion. According to local officials, two to three armed individuals entered the building following the explosion, and the confrontation with them is still ongoing. Abdul Salam Khalid, the spokesperson for the central police office, announced that one of these armed individuals was killed during the clash.
Read more: Destruction of 2 MQ-1 drones by the U.S. and its implications for military forces
Rescue efforts for the injured are ongoing rapidly, and it has been determined that the condition of several of the injured is critical. Bilal Ahmed Faizi, one of the rescue workers, stated that more than 45 rescue personnel have been dispatched to the scene to assist the victims. The injured have been transferred to a nearby hospital, and it is hoped that this number will not increase.
Response from Officials and Reactions
Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan, expressed sorrow in response to this attack and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He emphasized that "the complete eradication of the Khawarij sedition and terrorists operating with foreign support is essential for national security." Zardari referred to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan using the term "Khawarij sedition."
This incident comes at a time when Pakistan has pointed to attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as being sourced from militants based in Afghanistan. The Taliban government in Afghanistan has denied these accusations and considers the attacks to stem from internal issues within Pakistan. Pakistan has also stated that it has targeted the bases of these militants in Afghanistan in its airstrikes.
The Taliban government and the United Nations have reported the deaths of dozens of civilians as a result of Pakistan's airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan. This highlights the ongoing tensions and security complexities in the region, which continue to fuel humanitarian crises.
Read more: The Zionist regime has entered the military and intelligence layers of Saudi Arabia · Asim Munir sought Iran's help to stop Ansarullah's attacks on Saudi Arabia
