At least 16 killed in Pakistan mosque bombing

Key facts

• At least 16 people were killed and over 50 injured in a bombing at a mosque in Pakistan's Kohat district.
• The blast occurred during Friday prayers.
• An explosives-laden vehicle was driven into the mosque.
• Five police officers and 11 civilians were among the dead.
• No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A powerful suicide blast targeted a mosque near a police compound in Pakistan's Kohat district on Friday, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 50 others. The explosion occurred during Friday prayers, creating a large crater and causing extensive damage to the mosque and nearby shops and houses. Provincial Police Chief Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed that five police personnel and 11 civilians were among the dead. Security forces engaged in a firefight with at least two gunmen who attempted to enter the police compound, and one assailant was killed. The injured and deceased were transported to a nearby hospital. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) is considered a likely suspect due to its recent increase in attacks against security forces and civilians. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered swift rescue and treatment efforts, while President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the need to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorists.