The detailed report prepared by the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) regarding the blast at the Old Police Lines in Kohat has revealed the extensive scale and destructive capability of the attack, with investigators determining that approximately 869 kilograms of explosive material were used in the explosion.
The comprehensive BDU report has been submitted to the Central Police Office (CPO) for further examination. The assessment includes a technical analysis of the blast site, the nature and quantity of the explosive material, the crater created by the explosion, and evidence recovered from the affected buildings.
According to the BDU report, approximately 869 kilograms of highly powerful explosive material were used in the Kohat Police Lines blast. The intensity of the explosion is further reflected in the dimensions of the crater created at the blast site. Investigators recorded an apparent crater measuring approximately 6.6 by 11 feet, with a depth of around 4.6 feet.
The findings indicate the use of an exceptionally large quantity of explosive material, resulting in a blast of significant intensity and destructive force. The report further states that the vehicle used in the attack has been initially identified, providing investigators with an important lead as the wider investigation into the incident continues. The BDU assessment also confirmed that highly powerful explosive material was used in the attack.
During the post-blast clearance and search operation, investigators recovered additional explosive material from inside the Special Branch building, including material that had failed to detonate.
The detailed clearance operation resulted in the recovery of multiple explosive devices from different sections of the building.
According to the report:
-
Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered from the ground floor.
-
A suicide vest was recovered from the first floor.
-
The suicide vest contained four IEDs installed within it.
-
Additional explosive material that had failed to detonate was recovered from inside the Special Branch building.
The recovery of these devices demonstrates the scale and complexity of the attack and indicates that the threat at the site extended beyond the initial explosion.
The BDU report further states that, following the initial explosion, the attackers entered the Old Police Lines, Kohat, and established a fortified position inside the Special Branch Block. The attackers reportedly used the block as a stronghold, creating a serious security challenge for responding personnel and necessitating a comprehensive clearance operation.
Following completion of the clearance operation, the area was declared safe and under control, allowing security personnel to secure the site and proceed with the subsequent investigative and forensic processes.
The findings documented by the Bomb Disposal Unit are expected to provide important technical evidence for the ongoing investigation, particularly in determining the precise method used to carry out the attack, the composition and deployment of the explosive material, and the movement of the vehicle involved. The recovery of unexploded devices and explosive material is also expected to assist forensic teams in identifying common components, construction techniques and other evidence that may help establish the wider circumstances surrounding the attack.
The identification of the vehicle used in the incident represents another significant investigative development and may assist authorities in tracing the movement of the attackers and determining the sequence of events leading up to the explosion.
The blast occurred on September 18 at the Old Police Lines in Kohat, triggering a major security and clearance operation at the site. The subsequent BDU examination has now provided a detailed picture of the explosive threat encountered during the incident, including the enormous quantity of explosive material used, the extensive blast crater, the recovery of multiple IEDs and a suicide vest, and the presence of additional unexploded material within the premises.
The report has been formally forwarded to the Central Police Office, where the findings will form part of the broader investigation into the attack. The recovery of multiple explosive devices, combined with the reported use of approximately 869 kilograms of explosive material, underscores the magnitude of the security threat encountered at the Old Police Lines.
Security and investigative authorities are continuing to examine the available forensic, technical and circumstantial evidence to establish the full chain of events surrounding the attack and identify all individuals involved.
The authorities have also maintained security and control of the affected area following the completion of the clearance operation. The Bomb Disposal Unit’s findings are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation, while further forensic analysis and intelligence-based inquiries will determine the broader circumstances and network behind the attack.
