A suicide vehicle blast struck a mosque within a police headquarters complex in Kohat, located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border, on Friday. The attack, which occurred as worshippers gathered for afternoon prayers, has left at least 15 people dead and more than 50 injured.
Dr. Tahir Shah confirmed to the dpa news agency that numerous victims were transported to local hospitals, with several in critical condition. He warned that the death toll could increase as medical teams continue to treat the severely wounded.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion. However, the region is frequently targeted by militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and ISIL affiliates, both of whom have a history of attacking security installations and religious sites.
The incident highlights escalating violence in the remote border areas in recent years. Islamabad has accused the Taliban government in Afghanistan of permitting militants to launch cross-border attacks from Afghan soil, a claim Kabul denies. Tensions between the two nations have recently intensified, with both sides exchanging military strikes across the border.
15 dead in a place of worship is horrifying. The rise in cross-border tensions seems to be making things much worse lately.
Does anyone know if the Taliban has claimed responsibility yet? It feels like they’d take credit immediately for something like this.
It’s terrifying that these border regions are becoming so unstable. What’s the government actually doing to secure these mosques?
Another attack on worshippers? When will this senseless violence finally stop? We need lasting peace, not just temporary truces.
This is absolutely heartbreaking. Thoughts are with the victims and their families during this incredibly dark time.