KOHAT — At least seven people were killed and more than 30 others sustained injuries after a powerful explosion ripped through a site near the Old Police Lines in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Kohat district on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The blast occurred during Friday congregational prayers near a mosque inside the security complex, sending violent shockwaves through the heavily fortified zone housing police headquarters and administrative offices. Following the initial detonation, armed terrorists engaged in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement personnel, compounding the chaos at the scene. Preliminary findings suggest an explosive-laden vehicle may have targeted the complex.
Emergency rescue teams and police units swarmed the area immediately following the attack, sealing off surrounding roads including the main Kohat-Hangu highway to secure the perimeter. First responders navigated through heavy debris to extract victims, while ambulances rushed the wounded to nearby health facilities. Medical centers in Kohat declared emergencies as staff worked urgently to stabilize critical patients.
Top provincial authorities and police leadership condemned the targeted assault, reiterating that the tragedy would not break the resolve of law enforcement forces in the region. Bomb disposal experts and forensic units remain on-site gathering evidence to determine the exact composition of the explosive device as security operations continue across the district.
Following the assault, security forces launched intensified intelligence-led clearance operations across neighboring districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to track down potential facilitators and prevent follow-up attacks. Security checkpoints were strengthened along key transit corridors, and additional paramilitary contingents were deployed to reinforce vulnerable government installations throughout the province.
Meanwhile, local community leaders gathered outside regional medical facilities to organize emergency blood donation drives, offering immediate assistance to overworked healthcare staff. Humanitarian teams and municipal authorities set up support desks at the division headquarters to help grieving families identify victims, arrange emergency financial assistance, and coordinate logistics for those critically injured.
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