Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Suicide Attack Near Mosque Kills 16 in Northwest Pakistan
An attacker drove a car packed with explosives into a police facility in Kohat, Pakistan.
The explosion happened near a mosque during Friday prayers.
At least 16 people died, including five police officers.
Another 57 people were wounded.
Gunmen who came with the attacker also fought with police.
Police said all seven attackers were eventually killed.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan said it was not involved.
Pakistan says militants plan attacks from Afghanistan, but Afghanistan’s Taliban government denies this.
At least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed and 57 wounded in the attack in Kohat.
A suicide attacker drove an explosives-laden car into the outer wall of a police facility near a mosque.
Police, their family members and civilians were attending Friday prayers when the blast occurred.
Accompanying gunmen opened fire; police said all seven attackers were killed in the explosion and ensuing gun battle.
No group claimed responsibility, while Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan disowned the attack and Pakistan and Afghanistan disputed militant safe havens.
- Who
- At least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed; police said seven attackers were also killed.
- What
- A suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden car into a police facility, followed by gunfire from accompanying attackers.
- When
- Friday, September 18, during Friday prayers; the year is not specified.
- Where
- A police facility in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwest Pakistan, near a mosque.
- Why
- No motive or responsible group was established. Pakistan attributes militant activity to safe havens in Afghanistan, a claim Afghanistan’s Taliban government denies.
Pakistan authorities
Afghanistan’s Taliban government
Alleged militant safe havens
Pakistan authorities
Pakistan says militants use safe havens in Afghanistan to train and plan attacks in Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government
Afghanistan’s Taliban government denies the allegation and says militancy is Pakistan’s domestic problem.
Responsibility for the attack
Pakistan authorities
No Pakistani authority identified a responsible group, and officials described the attackers as militants.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan issued a statement disowning the attack, while no group claimed responsibility.
- Death toll
- At least 16 people
- Wounded
- 57 people
- Police fatalities
- Five officers
- Location
- Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Attack method
- An explosives-laden car struck the outer wall of a police facility
- Attackers
- Police said all seven attackers were killed
- Responsibility
- No group claimed responsibility; Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan disowned the attack
