The Kohat Tunnel cuts almost two kilometres under the Khigana mountains, replacing what was previously a slow and dangerous climb up the pass. It opened in 2003 with Japanese funding and is the only modern road tunnel in this part of the country.
For travellers between Peshawar and Kohat, it is essentially the gateway into the Darra Adam Khel area. The southern portal emerges within easy walking distance of the first gun workshops. A sequence of military checkpoints around both portals reflects the long-standing security concerns of the area.