At least 16 people, including 11 civilians and five police officers, were killed and over 50 others wounded in a suspected suicide bombing targeting a police compound in northwestern Pakistan during Friday congregational prayers, officials said.
The casualties occurred when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the Old Police Lines gate in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a senior police official said, according to local broadcaster Geo News.
Kohat District Hospital’s top official, Tahir Ali Shah, confirmed that 15 bodies were brought to the health facility, besides wounded people.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police identified the deceased as 11 civilians and five police officers.
Police said one “terrorist” was also killed after the explosion.
The explosion created a crater outside the mosque in the police compound.
Separately, seven militants were killed by Pakistani security forces in two operations in southwestern Balochistan province, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.