Islamabad, 18 September (H.S.): A powerful explosion occurred near a mosque in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during Friday prayers on Friday, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 50 others. The injured have been admitted to hospitals, while rescue and relief operations were launched at the site. Several police personnel are also among those injured.

According to Geo News, the explosion took place near a mosque in the Police Lines area of Kohat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At least 15 people were killed and more than 50 others injured in the blast.

Tahir Ali Shah, Medical Superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital, told Geo News that 15 bodies and more than 50 injured people were brought to the hospital following the explosion.

According to police officials, the blast occurred during Friday prayers and created a crater outside the mosque. Police personnel were also among those injured. Additional security forces were deployed in the Police Lines area following the explosion.

Rescue officials said the blast severely damaged the exterior portion of the mosque and caused a wall to collapse. Hospital authorities said at least 25 injured people were brought to the facility for treatment.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said that shortly before the explosion, a vehicle loaded with explosives had rammed into the old Police Lines gate.

“The vehicle hit the gate and then exploded, followed by gunfire,” IGP Hameed said.

He said the incident was a suicide attack and that another suicide explosion occurred inside the Special Branch building during the exchange of gunfire.

IGP Hameed has sought a detailed report from the Regional Police Officer, Kohat, regarding the incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar