The casualty count from the explosion and subsequent assault at the mosque located in Kohat Police Lines reached 23 on Saturday following the discovery and transport of an additional police officer’s body to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ).
“A combined total of 91 injured individuals were transported by rescue teams and ambulances to multiple hospitals, while 23 victims of the attack were also conveyed to medical facilities,” stated Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi.
On Friday, a vehicle laden with explosives detonated near the mosque at Kohat Police Lines, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 people, including 15 police personnel. Following the blast, armed militants breached the compound and launched attacks on police installations.
In a statement released today, Faizi noted that District Emergency Officer Kohat Noor-ul-Amin Khattak oversaw the operation, which included medical teams, ambulances, and additional rescue resources.
“The response effort deployed 24 ambulances, rescue vehicles, and a recovery vehicle, supported by over 60 rescue workers. Neighboring districts of Karak and Hangu provided supplementary ambulances and personnel,” the statement noted.
According to the statement, following funeral rites, Rescue 1122 ambulances transported the remains of 15 victims to their respective home districts of Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Mardan.
“Seven severely injured patients were transported to Peshawar for specialized medical care. Five were admitted to Lady Reading Hospital, while two were transferred to Hayatabad Medical Complex,” it stated.
Faizi emphasized that Rescue 1122 personnel executed search, rescue, and medical operations under challenging, sensitive, and hazardous circumstances.
He highlighted that the team members exhibited exceptional professionalism, commitment, and dedication throughout their emergency response efforts.
Meanwhile, Kohat hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Shah also confirmed the rise in the death toll, saying another police officer’s body had been shifted to the DHQ Hospital.
Earlier, a search and clearance operation following the blast at a mosque was completed after around 20 hours, with eight terrorists killed
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed said that Elite Force commandos, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) teams and security forces cleared key sections of the buildings.
He said a suicide bomber had attempted to target law enforcement personnel but failed.
The IGP remained at the scene and encouraged the personnel involved in the operation, while Additional IGP CTD, the Kohat regional police officer and the Kohat district police officer led the operation. The Kohat GOC was also present, he added.
He further added that “the law enforcement agencies completed the operation after working through the night.”
Hameed praised the officers who took part in the operation and announced rewards for them. “The police, CTD and security forces fought bravely. The brave personnel are the pride of the nation,” he said.
“The terrorists’ nefarious designs have been foiled, and we will ensure their complete elimination,” the IGP said.