Islamabad, September 18 (Vishav Varta): At least 15 people were killed and more than 50 others injured in a blast near a mosque in the ‘Police Lines’ area of Kohat district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday, according to local media reports.

Blast Took Place During Friday Prayers

According to a report by Pakistan-based ‘Geo News’, District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Tahir Ali Shah said that 15 bodies and more than 50 injured people were brought to the hospital following the explosion.

Police said the blast occurred during Friday prayers and caused a crater in the ground near the mosque. Police personnel were also among those injured in the explosion, according to officials.

Mosque’s Outer Portion Damaged

Police said an additional contingent of security personnel was sent to the ‘Police Lines’ immediately after the blast. Rescue officials said the explosion caused extensive damage to the outer portion of the mosque and a wall collapsed.

According to ‘Geo News’, authorities were carrying out rescue operations at the site of the incident.

Attacks on Law Enforcement Personnel Reported in the Region

The blast comes at a time when attacks targeting law enforcement personnel in Pakistan have increased, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Constable Killed in Balochistan Attack on September 10

On September 10, a constable was killed and another was seriously injured after an unidentified group of attackers targeted a checkpost in the Kank area of Mastung district in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

According to Pakistani newspaper ‘Dawn’, police said unidentified attackers targeted the checkpost and fled the scene following an exchange of fire with the police personnel deployed there.