Devastating Suicide Car Bomb Attack Near Mosque in Northwest Pakistan Leaves at Least 16 Dead

At least 16 people, including five police personnel, lost their lives in northwest Pakistan on Friday after a suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden car into a police facility while worshippers were praying at a mosque inside, according to police reports.

The interior ministry confirmed in a post on X that a deadly blast occurred near a police facility located in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While expressing deep grief over the tragic loss of lives, the ministry did not specify the exact casualty numbers in its statement.

Provincial police chief Zulfikar Hameed explained that the incident took place in Kohat city within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The vehicle targeted and crashed into an outer wall of the police facility, accompanied by gunmen who immediately opened fire, confirming the event as a coordinated suicide attack.

As authorities continue their response, no group has issued an immediate claim of responsibility. Local media reports indicate that ongoing rescue operations are currently underway, and officials warn that the death toll may continue to rise.

According to an official police statement, the powerful explosion detonated directly adjacent to a mosque where police personnel, along with their family members and various civilians, were gathered to offer Friday prayers.