An explosives-laden vehicle struck near a mosque at Kohat Police Lines in northwestern Pakistan during Friday prayers, followed by gunmen trying to enter the compound. At least 21 people were reported killed by officials, while later reporting put the death toll at 27. 💥
The dead included police officers and civilians, and more than 100 people were reported injured. The blast badly damaged the mosque and collapsed part of the police facility’s outer wall.
A faction linked to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility, Al Jazeera reported. The attack occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province that has faced renewed militant violence.
Pakistan’s prime minister ordered faster rescue operations, while authorities treated the injured and continued security operations at the site. 🚑