The Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), an alliance associated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadar Group, has claimed responsibility for the attack on a mosque in Kohat and confirmed that the incident involved a suicide bombing.
The responsibility claim was issued by IMP following the attack, which resulted in significant loss of life and injuries. The group has acknowledged that the explosion was carried out through a suicide operation.
The claim comes amid an ongoing security operation at the affected area in Kohat, where police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel remain engaged in securing the site and dealing with the threat.
IMP is an umbrella alliance of armed groups that was announced in 2025. Public reporting has identified the Hafiz Gul Bahadar Group, Lashkar-e-Islam and Harakat-e-Inqilab-e-Islami among the groups associated with the alliance.
There have also been reports concerning links between the alliance and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). A recent UN-related assessment reported by Dawn described AQIS as forming the backbone of IMP, while other reporting characterizes the relationship as an alleged or suspected link.
The latest development provides an important lead for investigators examining the planning, execution and network behind the Kohat attack. Authorities are expected to assess the responsibility claim alongside other available evidence as the investigation and security operation continue.
The incident has prompted heightened security measures in the area, while authorities continue efforts to secure the affected premises, assess the full extent of the casualties and establish the complete circumstances surrounding the attack.
