At least 16 people have lost their lives following a coordinated assault on a mosque in northwestern Pakistan, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
According to a senior police official in Peshawar, the attackers drove a vehicle loaded with explosives into the place of worship before engaging security forces in a shootout. Eleven civilians and five police officers were among those killed.
An exchange of fire remains ongoing at the site as security personnel attempt to neutralize the remaining assailants. One attacker has already been killed by police during the confrontation.
Rescue teams are currently on the scene processing casualties and recovering bodies. Local media reports indicate that the death toll is likely to increase as the operation continues.
Vehicle bombs at mosques are becoming alarmingly common. Something must be done before more innocent people lose their lives.
The death toll is expected to rise. Praying for strength for everyone affected by this senseless horror in Kohat.
Are we sure this isn’t a fabricated story to stir up anti-Islamic sentiment? The details seem oddly vague.
This is tragic. Police officers protecting a place of worship… these are heroes who gave their lives defending innocent civilians.
Just another devastating attack. When will the violence in Pakistan finally stop? My heart breaks for the victims and their families.