Deadly Bomb Attack at Pakistan Mosque Kills Dozens, Injuring Many More

A devastating bomb attack struck a mosque in Kohat, located in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Friday, September 18, 2026, resulting in significant casualties. An attacker reportedly rammed a vehicle laden with explosives into the mosque, which was situated near police offices. The powerful blast, heard across the area, caused extensive damage to the mosque and surrounding structures, with reports indicating the roof of the mosque collapsed.

The coordinated assault killed at least 21 people and injured approximately 80 others, many of whom were worshippers attending Friday prayers. Among the deceased were several police officers. Following the explosion, armed gunmen attempted to storm the nearby police compound, leading to an exchange of fire with officers, during which six of the assailants were killed.

While some initial reports suggested suspicion might fall on the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), a lesser-known militant group named Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident marks the latest in a series of escalating militant violence in the region, particularly targeting security forces and civilians.