8 terrorists killed as Kohat Police Lines clearance operation ends
The clearance operation at Kohat Police Lines has been completed, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed.
Police and security forces killed 8 terrorists during the operation and cleared important buildings inside the Police Lines compound.
The death toll from the initial attack and the subsequent exchange of fire has risen to 23, with several police personnel among those killed.
Security forces clear Police Lines buildings
IG Zulfiqar Hameed said police and security forces completed the retaliatory operation after confronting terrorists who had entered the Police Lines compound.
The attackers who entered the Special Branch building were also killed during the clearance operation.
The operation continued from the previous day as security personnel searched the compound and secured important buildings.
Elite Force commandos, the Counter-Terrorism Department and other security personnel took part in the operation.
The CTD Additional Inspector General personally supervised the operation at the site.
During the operation, terrorists reportedly attacked the CTD Additional IG with a hand grenade, injuring his arm.
After receiving medical treatment, the officer returned to the site and continued supervising the clearance operation.
The KP police chief said the CTD Additional IG, Regional Police Officer and District Police Officer led the operation.
The General Officer Commanding Kohat was also present at the site during the security operation.
How the Kohat attack unfolded
The attack began near the old Police Lines, where an explosives-laden vehicle was reportedly rammed into the area.
Another suicide attack followed near the Special Branch building, causing significant damage inside the compound.
The explosions also damaged the outer portion of a mosque and caused a wall to collapse.
After the explosions, 7 armed militants reportedly entered the Police Lines compound.
Police and CTD personnel engaged the attackers in an exchange of fire.
A militant sniper was initially killed during the confrontation.
Security forces then launched a wider clearance operation to locate and eliminate the remaining attackers and secure the compound.
The operation continued until security personnel cleared the important buildings and confirmed that the attackers had been killed.
Death toll reaches 23
The death toll from the attack and subsequent fighting has risen to 23.
Those killed include an SP, DSP and inspector, along with other police personnel, according to officials.
The incident has caused widespread concern in Kohat as authorities continue to assess the damage caused by the explosions and gunfire.
Officials have also been working to identify the victims and complete arrangements for their funerals.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 2 personnel from the rubble and shifted them to Kohat Hospital.
Funeral prayers for the martyred personnel were later offered following the attack.
More than 100 injured taken to hospitals
Officials said 103 injured people were taken to hospitals following the explosions.
Several injured people were reported to be in critical condition, while 34 remained under treatment after the initial emergency response.
Five patients underwent laparotomy procedures, while 4 critically injured patients were referred to hospitals in Peshawar for further treatment.
The District Headquarters Hospital declared an emergency to handle the large number of injured people arriving after the attack.
The Kohat-Hangu Road was also closed to traffic as rescue workers and security personnel continued their operations.
Rescue 1122 deployed 14 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel to assist with the emergency response.
District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin supervised the rescue activities.
Rescue workers continued their efforts until the security operation and emergency response were completed.
Officials condemn the deadly attack
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed grief over the deaths and injuries.
Zardari called for the elimination of what he described as Fitnah al-Khawarij and terrorists, while directing authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly condemned the blast and directed authorities to provide the injured with immediate medical care.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and sought a report on the nature and causes of the attack.
The prime minister further directed authorities to speed up relief efforts and provide all possible facilities to people affected by the incident.
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KP government seeks detailed report
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi also took notice of the attack.
He sought a report from police authorities and directed officials to use all available resources to provide immediate treatment to the injured.
Afridi ordered arrangements for critically injured patients to be moved to other hospitals if required.
He also directed authorities to examine all aspects of the incident before submitting a detailed report.
The directions cover the attack, the security response, the casualties and the circumstances surrounding the breach of the Police Lines compound.
Police announce rewards for personnel
IG Zulfiqar Hameed said the KP Police would continue to confront terrorism and would not allow such attacks to weaken the resolve of its personnel.
He also announced rewards for security and police personnel who participated in the operation and helped complete the clearance of the Police Lines.
The completion of the operation means that key buildings inside the compound have now been cleared.
The CTD, Elite Force commandos, police and other security forces worked together during the operation.
Authorities are now expected to focus on the investigation, damage assessment and treatment of those who remain injured.
