Pakistan police complex attack kills 31, injures over 100 as gunfight continues

Kohat, a city in northern Pakistan, experienced a devastating attack at its police headquarters on Friday afternoon, resulting in at least 31 deaths and over 100 injuries, according to a senior police official. The Old Police Lines complex, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, serves as a district-level police headquarters and houses key offices of various police units.

The militants stormed the complex, causing a fierce gunfight that continues even now. At least 16 police personnel were among the casualties, while the exact number of militants remains unclear. Several militants are still holed up in the Special Branch section of the Kohat Police Complex, according to a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The attack has left several security personnel and many injured police personnel in critical condition, with local hospitals overwhelmed. The Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, a militant group linked to the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Rescue and medical teams, including ambulances, were seen carrying out the injured from the scene, while soldiers guarded the complex with assault rifles. The military presence in the aftermath of the attack underscores the gravity of the situation and the ongoing security concerns for the region.

Pakistan has blamed the surge in attacks in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the southern border province of Balochistan on militancy originating from Afghanistan. This claim has led to a strained relationship between the neighboring countries, with Pakistan conducting airstrikes in Afghanistan to target militants. The prime minister and president of Pakistan have condemned the attack, expressing sorrow, regret, and calling for medical assistance for the injured and a report into the incident.