16 killed in suicide bomb attack near mosque at Pakistan’s Kohat Police …

A suicide bomb attack near a mosque in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killed at least 15–16 people and injured over 50 during Friday prayers on September 18, 2026, according to multiple reports. The blast occurred near the old Police Lines, with officials describing a vehicle-borne explosive targeting the mosque and a crater forming outside the site. Five police personnel and 11 civilians were among the dead, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Chief Zulfiqar Hameed.

Attack Details and Immediate Aftermath

The explosion, described as a vehicle-borne suicide blast, struck the mosque around 60 kilometers southwest of Peshawar, the provincial capital. Officials confirmed the blast caused significant structural damage, including a crater outside the mosque and the collapse of part of its roof. Rescue teams and emergency personnel rushed to the scene, with survivors and the injured transported to nearby hospitals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed stated that the attacker detonated explosives near the Special Branch building, while local media reported that a vehicle was driven into the mosque’s gate. The blast also triggered an exchange of fire between security forces and suspected militants, with one terrorist reportedly killed during the incident, per The Week and Hindustan Times.

Regional Context and Security Concerns

The attack occurred in a region long plagued by militant activity. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bordering Afghanistan, has seen frequent clashes between security forces and groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has claimed responsibility for past attacks, including a 2023 mosque bombing in Peshawar that killed 101 people. While no group claimed responsibility for the Kohat attack, officials pointed to the TTP and a regional ISIL affiliate as potential suspects, per Al Jazeera and Hindustan Times.

Pakistan’s interior ministry and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, with the latter ordering accelerated rescue efforts and support for victims. President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated calls for the “complete elimination of foreign-sponsored terrorists,” a reference to longstanding accusations against Afghanistan’s Taliban for harboring militant groups. Kabul has consistently denied these claims, per Al Jazeera.

Investigation and Ongoing Risks

Authorities are investigating the attack’s origins, including the number of attackers and potential links to militant networks. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rescue 1122 spokesperson, Bilal Ahmad Faizi, confirmed that emergency teams remained at the scene, while hospital officials reported that several injured were in critical condition. The death toll could rise as rescue operations continue, per The Hindu and Hindustan Times.

The incident has reignited concerns about security in Pakistan’s northwest, where militant groups have intensified attacks on both civilians and security personnel. The TTP, which operates independently of Afghanistan’s Taliban but maintains an alliance with it, has been a focal point of counterterrorism efforts. However, cross-border tensions and the group’s ability to regroup in remote areas remain unresolved challenges, per Hindustan Times.

The attack underscores the persistent threat of militant violence in Pakistan’s northwest, where security forces continue to grapple with cross-border insurgent networks. As investigations unfold, the focus will remain on identifying the perpetrators and addressing the region’s broader security vulnerabilities.