Kohat, 18 September 2026 (Ghufran): At least 15 people were killed and more than 50 injured in an explosion near a mosque in the Police Lines area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district on Friday, officials said. District Headquarters Hospital Medical Superintendent Tahir Ali Shah said 15 bodies and more than 50 injured people were brought to the hospital following the blast. Police said the explosion occurred during Friday prayers, causing a crater outside the mosque and injuring several police personnel. Rescue officials said the blast severely damaged the outer section of the mosque and caused a wall to collapse, while rescue operations continued at the site. Authorities closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to traffic and the DHQ hospital administration imposed an emergency following the incident. KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old Police Lines before exploding, followed by firing. He described the incident as a suicide attack and said another suicide blast occurred at the Special Branch building during the ensuing exchange of fire. The Central Police Office said the IGP had sought a report from the Regional Police Officer, Kohat, while authorities were determining the exact nature of the attack and an exchange of fire with the attackers was continuing.