16 Killed As Explosives-Laden Vehicle Hits Pakistan Mosque During Prayers

At least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed on Friday when a vehicle carrying explosives crashed into a mosque in Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north-western Pakistan.

The incident occurred during prayers at a mosque in the Kohat Police Lines area, where several police personnel were present.

The BBC reported that a senior police official in Peshawar confirmed the death toll, while more than 50 people were injured in the explosion.

Rescue teams were deployed to the scene and began searching through the rubble for survivors and victims trapped beneath the debris.

The explosion was followed by a gun battle between the attackers and security forces, with the confrontation reportedly continuing at the scene.

A police officer said one of the attackers had been killed, while security personnel continued their efforts to clear and secure the area.

The blast caused extensive damage to the mosque and prompted emergency response operations as authorities worked to evacuate the injured and account for those affected.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed concern over the casualties and wished those injured a swift recovery.

Authorities had yet to establish the identities of those behind the attack or determine their motive as of the time of filing the report.

Security forces remained deployed in the area as the operation continued.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced a series of militant attacks in recent years, with police and other security personnel among the frequent targets. The latest incident adds to ongoing security challenges in the north-western region of Pakistan.