Pakistan Kohat blast: At least 14 people were killed in an explosion around a mosque in Kohat, Pakistan on Friday, September 18, 2026, according to initial reports. Emergency teams rushed to the site and hospitals went on emergency measures.
The blast happened in the vicinity of the Old Police Lines in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during Friday prayers. Initial reports said at least several people were injured and that rescue teams were sent in to evacuate victims. The area was closed off after police and emergency services arrived at the site.
According to later reports by police officials, an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the Old Police Lines compound. The explosion occurred close to a mosque where people had gathered for Friday prayers. At least 16 people were killed, including five police officers and 11 civilians, and more than 50 others injured, Anadolu Agency reported.
The Blast Near Old Police Lines Triggers Emergency Response
The explosion caused significant damage in the area of the mosque and police compound. The outer part of the mosque was badly damaged, rescue officials said, and a wall also collapsed after the blast.
As soon as the explosion occurred, police and rescue teams were on the scene. The injured people were given first aid and taken to medical facilities. The District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat declared an emergency as casualties arrived for treatment.
The roads leading to the Old Police Lines were closed after the incident with extra police officers in place around. The Kohat-Hangu Road was also closed to traffic as authorities tried to secure the location and enable rescue operations.
Suspected Suicide Blast Hits #Mosque in #Kohat During Prayers, Killing at Least Five 🚨💥🚨⚠️
— Mahalaxmi Ramanathan (@MahalaxmiRaman) September 18, 2026
The blast struck the mosque at the old Police Lines in #KhyberPakhtunkhwa's Kohat district on September 18, with more than 50 people inside at the time. Early reports confirm at least… pic.twitter.com/6FZf7UjAda
Rescue 1122 deployed ambulances and personnel to assist in evacuation. Local officials said there were multiple ambulances and dozens of rescue personnel at work at the time.
Casualty Figures Change As Rescue Operation Continues
The number of casualties was not yet known in the first hours following the explosion. Initial reports indicated at least 14 casualties, but later on, hospital and police accounts put the casualties at 15 and 16.
The District Headquarters Hospital was said to have received a large number of victims after the blast. Hospital officials said more than 50 injured people were admitted for treatment.
The changes in numbers underscore the difficulty of establishing an immediate final number of casualties in a major blast. Rescue and medical response were still in progress as damage was assessed by authorities.
Investigation Underway into Kohat Explosion.
The blast was being investigated by authorities. In later reports, officials described the incident as a suspected suicide bombing and said an explosives-laden vehicle was used to target the entrance of the Old Police Lines compound.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in the reports of the attack, the first ones in a period of chronic militant violence in recent years.
The motive is not yet known, nor are the suspects, they said. Security was at the site and rescue and investigation teams were on the scene.
The Kohat blast comes amid increasing security worries in areas of northwestern Pakistan. The attention now is on the injured, recovering victims, and the exact cause of the explosion.
With casualties continuing to be updated, authorities are likely to provide more information as the investigation continues. The incident is still a developing story.
