ISLAMABAD : In a major terror incident, at least 16 people lost their lives and more than 50 others sustained injuries after a powerful suicide blast ripped through a mosque in Pakistan on Friday.
According to officials, the explosion took place at a mosque located near the Old Police Lines area in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. The blast occurred when a large number of worshippers had gathered inside the mosque to offer Friday prayers (Jummah Namaz).
Kohat district is located around 60 kilometres southwest of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Officials said the suicide bomber detonated himself inside the mosque, leading to a huge explosion. Rescue teams and police immediately reached the spot and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals. The condition of several injured is stated to be critical, so the death toll may rise.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and investigation has been started. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
This is said to be one of the deadliest attacks on a mosque in Pakistan in recent months.