A suicide attack on a mosque within a police compound in Kohat, northwestern Pakistan, has left at least 21 people dead and around 80 others injured, drawing condemnation from Saudi Arabia. The attack, which occurred during Friday prayers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, involved a suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle into the compound’s outer wall, followed by gunfire from armed assailants and a clash with security forces.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed its solidarity with Pakistan, denouncing the attack and reiterating the Kingdom’s firm stance against violence targeting places of worship and civilians. Saudi Arabia also extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished those injured a swift recovery.
The deadly assault claimed the lives of at least five police officers among the victims. While no group has taken responsibility for the attack, the Pakistani Taliban has publicly denied any involvement in the incident.
This attack adds to the ongoing concerns about security in the region, especially as the area has been a target for militant activities in the past. The incident underscores the challenges faced by Pakistani authorities in ensuring safety within sensitive areas such as police installations and religious sites.
Efforts to investigate and prevent future incidents are expected to intensify as Pakistani security forces work to secure the region and protect its citizens from further harm.