Tarar visits families of Kohat attack victims, vows to eliminate terrorism

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday visited the families of police personnel martyred in last week’s deadly attack in Kohat, offering condolences to the bereaved and vowing that the government would not rest until terrorism was eliminated.

At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, were killed when an explosion struck a mosque at Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers, followed by an attack involving several armed terrorists, according to an initial incident report issued by the DHQ Hospital Kohat medical superintendent and district health officer. More than 100 people were injured in the attack.

Tarar visited the residence of policeman Faheemullah, the only brother of three sisters, who was among those killed. He met his father, Ikramullah, and offered Fateha for the departed soul, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Speaking at a press conference later, Tarar said the victims had sacrificed their lives for the safety of the country and that their families would not be left alone. “They sacrificed their lives so that this province and this country could remain safe,” Tarar said. “They orphaned their children but saved hundreds of children from being martyred.”

The minister also visited the injured at CMH Kohat, where he said he was impressed by the morale of the injured personnel. “I cannot describe how high their morale was,” he said. “The young men of our army and police who took part in this operation fought the terrorists bravely. Even personnel who were on leave put on their uniforms and joined the operation,” he added.

Read: 15 police personnel among 21 martyred in Kohat Police Lines terrorist attack; over 100 injured

Tarar said the attack would not weaken the resolve of the security forces or the public. “These terrorists are cowards. They strike from behind,” he said. He stated that the government would continue the fight until terrorism was eliminated “from its roots”.

“On behalf of the prime minister, I say that until and unless we defeat terrorism from its root, we will not rest,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said the time was not far when the terrorists would be defeated.

Tarar then criticised Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over his response to the attack, asking where he had been when the incident occurred.

“You have time for the politics of chaos, but not for the people of your province,” he said, adding, “What have you done for education, health and public welfare?”

Tarar also criticised the PTI-led provincial government over shortcomings in policing, governance and development, saying that the province did not even have a forensic laboratory to facilitate police investigations.

The minister said that contracts were being awarded to favoured individuals in return for payments and that new records of corruption were being set in the province. He also questioned who had been awarded gold-mining contracts and where the province’s development funds were being spent.

Turning to PTI’s planned September 27 protest in Islamabad, Tarar said, “No one will be allowed to shut down Islamabad. Armed groups will not be allowed to come towards Islamabad.”

Read More: Captain, lieutenant among six martyred as eight terrorists killed in Hangu fire exchange: ISPR

Tarar rejected PTI’s claims that its protests were peaceful, saying, “Peaceful people do not leave their homes carrying sticks fitted with nails.” He also said PTI members would be held accountable and would not be allowed to “hide behind excuses” involving funds.

He said projects such as the Kohat Tunnel and motorway had been built during the government of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, while alleging that forests were being cut down and factories producing counterfeit cigarettes had been found in the province.

Attack on Kohat Police Lines

At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, were killed in the blast at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers, according to an initial incident report issued by DHQ Hospital Kohat medical superintendent and the district health officer.

The report said the blast occurred at approximately 1:20pm during Friday prayers at a mosque located at Police Lines on Hangu Road in Kohat, followed by a terrorist attack involving around five to seven terrorists.

Of the 21 people killed, 15 were police personnel and six were civilians. The report identified one of the deceased civilians as Dr Israel Khan Aurakzai, Chief District Specialist (Paediatrics) at Liaqat Memorial Hospital, Kohat.

It further said 103 injured people had been received at the two hospitals, including 13 at Liaqat Memorial Hospital and 90 at DHQ Hospital Kohat. The injured comprised 73 police personnel and 30 civilians.

Also read: Pakistan carries out ‘calibrated’ air strikes against terrorist hideouts near Afghan border after K-P attacks

Of the total injured, 34 were admitted for treatment, while five patients underwent laparotomy, a surgical procedure involving an incision into the abdomen. The report said four of the patients who underwent laparotomy had been referred to tertiary care facilities in Peshawar for further treatment.

It added that the situation was being closely monitored and all possible medical assistance was being provided to the injured at the relevant health facilities.

According to the police, seven armed terrorists infiltrated the police lines following the explosion at the mosque. The police said six terrorists, including the suicide bomber, had been killed so far. Initially, a suicide attacker blew himself up near the Special Branch building after the explosion, it added.

Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers. Islamabad has repeatedly asked the Taliban regime to deny the use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. However, the de facto rulers in Kabul have been reluctant to take action against terrorist groups operating from their territory.