Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and the chief ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab on Friday strongly condemned the blast at the old Police Lines in Kohat, expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries and directing authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for the victims.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed the relevant authorities to expedite rescue operations and provide the injured with immediate and the best possible medical care. He also sought a report on the nature and causes of the explosion and ordered that all possible assistance be provided to those affected.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over civilians being injured in the blast and conveyed his best wishes for their speedy recovery. He directed the authorities to ensure immediate and the best possible medical treatment for the wounded, saying the complete elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with external support was essential for national security.
KPa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “highly regrettable and unacceptable” act of terrorism. He sought a report from police authorities and directed officials to use all available resources to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
Afridi also ordered hospitals to ensure prompt treatment and the availability of necessary medical facilities, with arrangements to be made to transfer critically injured patients to other hospitals if required.
“Targeting innocent citizens is highly regrettable and condemnable,” the chief minister said, adding that “cowardly acts of terrorism” could not undermine the nation’s resolve.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the explosion near the old Police Lines in Kohat and expressed deep grief over the loss of precious human lives. He extended his condolences and sympathies to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“We stand with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief,” Naqvi said, adding that the “cowardly actions of the Khawarij” could not weaken the nation’s firm resolve.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also condemned the Kohat blast and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
KP Information Minister Shafi Jan condemned the explosion near the old Police Lines in Kohat and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives. He said initial reports indicated that several civilians, along with five police personnel, had been killed or injured in the blast.
Jan said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had taken serious notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities. He added that an emergency had been declared at hospitals in Kohat and instructions issued to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured. “Targeting innocent citizens is an extremely regrettable and cowardly act,” Jan said.
Blast leaves several casualties
At least 16 people, including five police personnel and 11 civilians, were killed and around 25 injured in the blast, according to initial information.
Police said an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed near the old Police Lines, although authorities were still determining the exact nature of the explosions. A suicide attacker later blew himself up near the Special Branch building, while an exchange of fire between police, Counter-Terrorism Department personnel and armed attackers continued inside the Police Lines compound.
One militant sniper was killed during the operation, police said.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said more than 25 injured people and seven bodies had so far been shifted to hospitals. Fourteen ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 45 rescue personnel were participating in the search and rescue operation.
A Hum News reporter at the scene said the road around the Police Lines mosque had been sealed off after two blasts were heard near the mosque, followed shortly afterwards by a third explosion.
Meanwhile, KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid sought a report from the Kohat regional police officer and directed officials to ensure timely and proper medical treatment for the injured.
“The blood of the martyrs will not go to waste,” the IGP said, adding that the KP police would continue to stand as a “wall of steel” against terrorism and that militants and their facilitators would face severe consequences.
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