Rescue operations are currently underway as authorities assess the casualties and circumstances surrounding the explosion. | Representative Image At least 16 people are dead and more than 50 others wounded after a powerful explosion struck near a mosque inside a police compound in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during Friday prayers. According to local media reports, the blast sent panic through the area and prompted an immediate security response around the Police Lines compound. Police and security forces moved to seal the site as rescue teams and emergency responders reached the area. Evacuation and search operations are underway, with authorities working through the blast site as the casualty figures continue to develop. Earlier reports had put the death toll at four, with dozens injured. The latest figure reported by local media is significantly higher, with the incident now being treated as a suspected suicide bombing. Initial reports suggest that an explosives-laden vehicle struck the mosque’s perimeter wall and was followed by heavy firing in the area. The explosion took place at a mosque located inside the police compound, bringing security personnel and emergency services to the scene within minutes. The area has been cordoned off as rescue workers search for victims and assess the extent of the damage. Authorities have not yet officially established the cause of the explosion. The suspected suicide attack has also not been formally confirmed by officials, and further details about the attacker, the target and the circumstances leading up to the blast remain unclear. The casualty toll could change as rescue operations continue and authorities complete their assessment. Further details are awaited from Pakistani security and administrative officials. Yuvraj Tyagi is a Senior Copy Editor, specializing in security, national, international and defense affairs. With extensive experience covering the Ka... View More