At least 16 martyred, over 57 injured in blast near mosque in Kohat Police Lines: official

KOHAT: At least 16 people were killed and more than 57 injured in an explosion near a mosque in the Police Lines area of Kohat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, on Friday, according to a medical official.

District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Ali Shah told that 16 bodies and more than 57 injured people had been brought to the hospital following the blast.

Police said the explosion occurred during Friday prayers and caused a crater outside the mosque.

Police personnel were also among those injured in the blast, officials said.

Following the explosion, an additional contingent of police personnel was deployed in the Police Lines area to secure the site and surrounding locations.

Rescue officials said the blast severely damaged the outer section of the mosque, while a wall also collapsed due to the intensity of the explosion.

Rescue and relief teams were carrying out operations at the site, searching the affected area and providing emergency assistance.

Authorities have closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to all traffic following the incident as security and rescue operations continue.

The DHQ Hospital administration also declared an emergency after a large number of injured people were brought in for treatment.

Hospital officials later said at least 25 injured people had been brought to the facility.

Police and rescue authorities are continuing operations at the site, while the nature of the explosion and the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.

Authorities are also assessing the full extent of the casualties and property damage.

This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.