Death toll from attack at police HQ in Pakistan rises to 31

Kohat, a town in northern Pakistan, has witnessed a devastating attack at the local police headquarters, resulting in a death toll of at least 31, including 16 police personnel. The militant attack, which also involved a suicide bombing, has left over 100 people injured, with fighting still ongoing at the site. The Old Police Lines complex in Kohat, a town of approximately 220,000 residents, was targeted by the attackers.

The police compound houses key offices of the Counter Terrorism Department, Special Branch, and several other police units. Several militants are still hiding in the Special Branch section of the police complex, leading to an ongoing exchange of fire. The exact number of militants involved remains unknown. Pakistan attributes the surge in attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to militant activity originating from Afghanistan, a claim that has strained relations between the two countries.

Pakistan has retaliated with airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, alleging the strikes target militants. The Taliban in Kabul and the United Nations have condemned the Pakistani airstrikes, alleging civilian casualties.