Islamabad, Sept. 18 (SANA)At least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed Friday in asuicide attackon a police facility in northwesternPakistan, police said.

The attack occurred in Kohat, inKhyber Pakhtunkhwaprovince, when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the facility’s outer wall during Friday prayers at a mosque inside the compound, provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said.

Gunmen accompanying the vehicle then opened fire, triggering an exchange of fire with police, according to a police statement. One attacker wearing an explosive belt was killed.

Police said the blast occurred near a mosque where officers, their relatives and civilians were attending Friday prayers.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan’s Interior Ministry condemned the attack, saying such “cowardly acts” would not weaken the nation’s “unwavering resolve.”

Militant activity has risen sharply in Pakistan’s border regions in recent months, with the military and police among the main targets of attacks.kA/ABD