A mosque in northwestern Pakistan was targeted by a vehicle bomb attack on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 people and injuries to 80 others, including police officers attending prayers. The incident took place in Kohat, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. According to Zulfiqar Hameed, the provincial police chief, the attack involved an explosives-laden vehicle being driven into the mosque.
Most of the casualties were police officers, as confirmed by hospital officials. Additionally, there was an attempt by seven armed gunmen to enter the police compound, leading to an exchange of gunfire with officers. Six gunmen were killed during the confrontation. A suicide bomber also targeted an intelligence agency office nearby.
The police compound housed counterterrorism police who had been actively engaged in anti-militant operations in the region in recent years. Following the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the violence and instructed authorities to expedite rescue efforts.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, suspicions point towards the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This incident occurred in the midst of escalating violence in the region, with recent clashes and operations against militants by government forces.
Notably, the Pakistani Taliban has intensified its attacks on both law enforcement and civilians in recent times. The group has a history of violent activities, with a past incident in 2023 where a suicide bombing in a mosque in Peshawar claimed the lives of 101 individuals.
The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been strained, with accusations from Pakistan regarding Afghanistan’s alleged support for TTP militants. Previous conflicts and clashes have escalated tensions between the two nations, leading to mediation efforts by countries like Qatar, Turkey, and China, though peace talks have not yielded a resolution.
The day following the bombing, reports emerged of Turkish intelligence officials engaging with Pakistani authorities to address the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan through dialogue. Similarly, meetings were held with Afghan officials to discuss ways to de-escalate the situation and promote peace in the region.