Explosion at a mosque in Pakistan, 16 victims, including five police officers

A vehicle filled with explosives blew up near a mosque in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 16 people, including five police officers.

The explosion occurred in the Kohat district, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the police headquarters.

After the incident, the attackers engaged in a gun battle with security forces. Authorities say one of the attackers was killed, while rescue teams continue the rescue operation.

The police inspector general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfikar Hameed, stated that it was a suicide attack. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari offered condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. The explosion was also condemned by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

The event took place at a time when militant activity in Pakistan’s border areas has increased significantly, with the army and police remaining among the main targets.

Pakistani authorities have stated that militants use bases in Afghanistan to organize and carry out attacks on Pakistani territory. The Taliban government in Kabul has dismissed these claims, describing militancy as an internal matter of Pakistan.