HighLights
  1. Powerful blast at mosque in northwest Pakistan.
  2. At least sixteen people killed during Friday prayers.
  3. Several others injured in the tragic incident.

Pakistan Mosque Blast: At least 16 people were killed, and over 50 were injured in a powerful blast at a mosque in northwest Pakistan during Friday's prayers. An explosion in restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed several people on Friday, officials said.

Media reports say the blast occurred near the old Police Lines in Kohat district of the province. No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet.

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According to Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi, rescue teams reached the site shortly after receiving the information and launched a rescue operation.

He said several people were injured and were being shifted to nearby hospitals for initial medical treatment. The spokesperson said rescue teams were present at the scene and assessing the situation. 

Five Security Personnel Killed

Pakistani news portal dawn.com reported that an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed into the building, triggering a massive blast claiming at least sixteen lives. Five security personnel were among the deceased.

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed that the blast took place at a mosque at Kohat Police Lines, adding that an explosive-laden vehicle was crashed into the building.

Pakistani local media showed footage of the blast, in which thick smoke was seen over the mosque. People gathered at the building, which collapsed after the explosion. Locals and police personnel started a rescue operation and pulled people from the rubble. Locals helped security personnel to take the injured to the hospital.


Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Seeks Detailed Report

Reacting to the fatal explosion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sought a detailed report, directing authorities to launch a probe. He criticised the attack, saying hurting innocent citizens was “deeply regrettable and unacceptable".

(With PTI inputs)

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