Fifteen people have been martyred and atleast 35 people including policemen, have been injured in an apparent suicide attack in a mosque near Police Lines in Kohat on Friday afternoon, police said.
According to eye witnesses the balst occured during Friday prayers. The outer wall of the mosque has been damaged. The magnitude of the blast was to such an extent that nearby buildings were also damaged.
The injured are being shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for treatment, according to police.
15 dead bodies have been brought to DHQ hospital, according to MS Tahir Ali Shah.
Hospital authorities said an emergency has been declared at the DHQ Hospital following the blast.
According to IG KP a vehicle-borne suicide attack targeted the Kohat Police Lines mosque and CTD office.
Initial intelligence reports indicate that Afghan Tashkeel militants were allegedly involved in the blast. Security forces have cordoned off the area, while Pakistan Army and police personnel are engaged in an operation against the attackers.
Police have closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to all traffic near the blast site.
Additional police personnel have also been deployed around the Police Lines area.
