At least 16 people were killed and more than 50 injured after a suicide blast ripped through a mosque near the Police Lines in Kohat, Pakistan, during Friday prayers, officials said.

The explosion took place at a mosque near the old Police Lines in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, around 60 kilometres southwest of provincial capital Peshawar. The victims included five police personnel and 11 civilians, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Chief Zulfiqar Hameed.

Most of those injured were worshippers who had gathered for Friday prayers when the explosion occurred.

15 bodies brought to hospital

District Headquarters Hospital Medical Superintendent Tahir Ali Shah told Geo News that 15 bodies had been brought to the hospital, along with more than 50 injured people following the blast.

The explosion was powerful enough to leave a crater outside the mosque, according to police.

Several of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for initial treatment as emergency teams continued rescue operations at the site.

Rescue teams deployed after blast

Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said emergency teams reached the location shortly after receiving information about the explosion.

Rescue personnel began evacuating the injured and transporting them to nearby medical facilities. Teams remained at the scene while authorities assessed the situation.

No group claims responsibility

No organisation or individual has so far claimed responsibility for the Kohat mosque blast.

The attack occurred during Friday prayers, when the mosque was occupied by worshippers, with police personnel among those killed.

With PTI inputs