PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Dispatches) — A suicide car bombing at a mosque inside a police compound in Kohat killed at least 27 people and wounded 57 during Friday prayers, while separate security operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa left 10 militants dead and six soldiers martyred, officials said.
The attack occurred when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the Old Police Lines gate in Kohat, a district near the Afghan border. 
Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed it was a suicide attack. After the explosion, at least seven armed gunmen attempted to storm the compound and exchanged fire with officers. Six attackers were killed in the gun battle.
Hospital official Tahir Shah said 15 bodies and more than 50 wounded were initially brought to Kohat District Hospital. Rescue official Bilal Faizi said most of the wounded were worshippers, with five police officers and 22 civilians among the dead. 
The mosque was badly damaged and the police station’s outer wall collapsed. Residents said the blast was heard far away.
The Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen faction claimed responsibility. The TTP denied involvement, and no independent verification was immediately available.
The attack came as security forces conducted intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between September 15 and 17. Six militants were killed in North Waziristan and four more in Hangu district, the military’s Inter-Services Public Relations said. Weapons and ammunition were recovered.
Six soldiers were killed Thursday when an improvised explosive device struck a security forces convoy in Hangu district.
President Asif Ali Zardari said “complete elimination of Fitna-al-Khwarij and terrorists operating with foreign backing is inevitable for national security.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing, directed authorities to accelerate rescue operations, and ordered a report on the explosion.