Bombing at mosque near police offices in Pakistan kills at least 16

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - A devastating bomb detonated at a mosque situated near a police compound in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Friday, resulting in at least 16 casualties and 57 injuries, according to police and rescue officials. The assault took place as the region experienced heightened unrest, with security forces actively pursuing militants.

The explosion occurred when a vehicle packed with explosives reportedly plowed into the mosque, as reported by Zulfiqar Hameed, the provincial police chief. Hospital sources have confirmed that five police officers and 11 civilians perished in the attack, while Bilal Faizi, a senior rescue official, stated that most of the wounded were worshippers, some of whom are in critical condition.

Numerous victims were left injured during the chaos. Six armed gunmen tried to infiltrate the police premises, engaging in a shootout with law enforcement officials. The attackers were ultimately subdued, with six of them losing their lives. Images from the scene revealed significant damage, including the partial collapse of the police offices' outer wall and substantial destruction to the mosque.

Thick plumes of smoke billowed from the site following the explosion, as witnesses and residents recounted the harrowing aftermath.