At least 16 people, including 5 security personnel, were killed in a suspected car suicide bombing near a police compound in northwestern Pakistan during the Friday congregational prayers, officials confirmed. The incident took place in Kohat district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
About 50 others were reportedly wounded.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed told Dawn that a vehicle-borne suicide bomber initially struck the building's gate.
Initial reports said that an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed into the building.
In a later statement, he said that the suicide bomber detonated the explosive near the Special Branch building.
He said that security officials are exchanging fire with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Media reports say that firing was heard outside the mosque in the area. The blast created a crater outside the mosque and caused significant damage to the building. One of the walls also collapsed.
Police also said that one terrorist was killed after the explosion.
No militant organisation have claimed responsibility for the attack.
