PESHAWAR: In a significant law enforcement operation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police announced the conclusion of an extensive clearance effort following a tragic dual assault near a mosque in the Kohat district’s old Police Lines. The operation, which lasted roughly 21 hours, resulted in the elimination of eight terrorists, as confirmed by police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials.
The death toll from the initial attack has now risen to 23, highlighting the severity of the incident. The police statement indicated that the clearance operation involved multiple teams, including Elite Force commandos and CTD personnel, who successfully secured vital sections of the affected buildings.
Details of the Operation
During the operation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed was on-site, overseeing the efforts led by the additional IG of the CTD, the regional police officer for Kohat, and the district police officer. The presence of the general officer commanding in Kohat further underscored the operation’s critical nature.
In their official communication, the KP police expressed satisfaction with the operation’s success, commending the bravery and dedication of the officers involved. Inspector General Hameed praised the law enforcement personnel, declaring them as the pride of the nation and emphasizing their role in thwarting the terrorists’ plans. “We will ensure their complete eradication,” he asserted.
Incident Overview and Casualties
Reports indicate that four attackers gained entry into the Police Lines, with two of them reportedly barricading themselves on the first floor. The clean-up operation resumed at 5 AM, leading to the neutralization of one attacker, while another detonated himself after being critically injured.
Earlier statements revealed that the additional IG of the CTD was hurt during the operation due to a grenade thrown by the terrorists. Despite sustaining a hand injury, he returned to the frontline to supervise the ongoing efforts and uplift the spirits of his team.
The violent episode began with a vehicle packed with explosives detonating near the mosque, followed by an onslaught on police facilities within the compound. Among the deceased were notable figures such as SP Traffic Akbar Shinwari and Dr. Israel Orakzai, head of the paediatric department at DHQ Hospital, alongside several Special Branch and CTD officials.
Aftermath and Reactions
Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the Ittehadul Mujahideen, which is led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur. Funeral prayers were held in Kohat for the 15 police personnel who lost their lives, with their bodies transported to their respective hometowns via Rescue 1122 ambulances.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has called for a comprehensive report on the incident, expressing that the targeting of innocent individuals is “deeply regrettable and unacceptable.” He has also urged authorities to ensure immediate care for the injured victims, asserting that the resolve of the nation will not be shaken by such cowardly acts of terrorism.
It is worth noting that Kohat has a history of violence; in 2010, a remote-controlled bomb explosion in a police colony resulted in 20 fatalities, primarily among the family members of policemen, during Ramadan Iftar. The community continues to grapple with the repercussions of such incidents, as law enforcement strives to regain control and ensure public safety.
