A vehicle laden with explosives rammed into a mosque in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in north-western Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least eleven civilians and five police officers, according to a senior police official based in Peshawar.
Armed assailants engaged in active gunfire with security personnel at the scene. One of the attackers has been neutralised by police forces, an officer confirmed.
Emergency responders have launched a rescue operation at the site. Local media outlets indicate that the casualty count may increase as rescue efforts continue and the full extent of the incident becomes clear.
What is the current situation?
An ongoing exchange of gunfire between the attackers and security forces continues at the mosque location. The incident occurred in a region that has experienced previous security incidents. In April 2026, gunmen attacked a picnic spot in Afghanistan's Herat province, killing multiple people, highlighting the volatile security environment across the broader region. Pakistan has also conducted military operations in border areas, with air strikes launched along the Afghan border in June 2026 amid escalating cross-border tensions.
What happens next?
Rescue operations remain active, and authorities are continuing to secure the area. The death toll is expected to be updated as emergency personnel complete their assessment of casualties and injuries sustained in the attack.
