RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which resulted in deaths and injuries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Friday, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast stance rejecting the targeting of places of worship, the terrorization of civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood.
Saudi Arabia underscored full solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, regardless of motives or justifications.
The Kingdom extended its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
#بيان | تُعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة المملكة العربية السعودية واستنكارها الشديدين للهجوم الإرهابي الذي استهدف أحد المساجد في إقليم خيبر بختونخوا بشمال غرب جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية، وأدى إلى وفاة وإصابة عددٍ من الأشخاص. pic.twitter.com/sbPKri2vq9
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) September 18, 2026
Earlier, terrorists targeted a mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern Kohat district during Friday prayers, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 50 in a suicide bombing, according to hospital officials and police.
The attack took place in the Police Lines area, where an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the mosque wall, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfikar Hameed said.
Police blamed the bombing on Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by Pakistani officials for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Mosque targeted
The blast caused extensive damage to the mosque’s outer section and brought down a wall, while a crater was formed outside the mosque, according to police and rescue officials.
ALSO READ: Terrorists Target Mosque In Pakistan’s Kohat, Kill 15 And Injure More Than 50
Several shops in the surrounding area were also destroyed or badly damaged.
The outer wall of the Police Lines also collapsed in the explosion, while additional police contingents were deployed in the area following the attack.
The attack on a mosque during Friday prayers underscores the indiscriminate nature of terrorism, with worshippers and civilians among those caught in the blast.
The bombing comes as security forces continue counter-terrorism operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials earlier said that security forces had killed 10 terrorists in separate operations in the province during the last two days.
President, PM condemn bomb blast in Kohat
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the bomb blast in Old Police Lines, Kohat. In their separate messages, they expressed deep grief and sorrow over the injuries sustained by several people in the blast.
They directed that the best possible medical care be provided to the injured immediately and prayed for their speedy recovery. The President said that the complete elimination of Fitna-al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with foreign backing is inevitable for national security.
The Prime Minister sought a report from the authorities concerned regarding the blast and directed them to expedite the relief operations.
