18 hrs ago
Pakistan Police Compound Attack Death Toll Rises To 31
An attack happened at a police compound in Kohat, Pakistan.
It began when a vehicle carrying explosives hit a wall near a mosque.
People had gathered there for Friday prayers.
Gunmen then entered the compound and fought police.
At least 31 people died, including 16 police officers.
More than 100 people were hurt.
Rescue workers searched damaged buildings for victims.
Reports disagreed about whether all the attackers had been killed.
Different reports also named different groups as responsible.
A suicide bombing and gun assault at a police compound in Kohat killed 31 people, including 16 police personnel.
More than 100 people were injured, with several reportedly in critical condition.
The attack began Friday at the Old Police Lines mosque during prayers and damaged nearby police facilities.
Police said militants remained inside the Special Branch section Saturday, contradicting an earlier report that all seven attackers had been killed.
Responsibility was disputed, with reports naming Ittehadul Mujahideen or Inqilabi Islami Pakistan.
- Who
- Police personnel, worshippers, their families, civilians, rescue workers, and armed attackers were involved; 31 people died, including 16 police personnel.
- What
- A suicide bombing followed by a gun assault targeted a police compound and mosque.
- Where
- The attack took place at the Old Police Lines complex in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- When
- The attack occurred Friday afternoon; the death toll and clearance operation were reported on Saturday.
- Why
- The motive was not established in the reports; the attack occurred amid heightened militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Reported Accounts
Alternative Accounts
Status of attackers
Reported Accounts
Reuters reported that all seven attackers were killed in the explosion and subsequent gun battle.
Alternative Accounts
A later police account said several militants remained inside the Special Branch section and that an exchange of fire was continuing.
Responsibility for the attack
Reported Accounts
Pakistani local news reported that the Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen claimed responsibility.
Alternative Accounts
Some reports attributed the attack to Inqilabi Islami Pakistan, described as affiliated with al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent.
Militant sanctuaries
Reported Accounts
Islamabad has repeatedly accused militants of operating from sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
Alternative Accounts
The Taliban government in Kabul has denied those allegations.
Key facts
- Death toll
- 31 people, including 16 police personnel
- Injuries
- More than 100 people; several were reportedly in critical condition
- Location
- Old Police Lines complex, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Attack method
- An explosives-laden vehicle followed by a gun assault
- Targeted facilities
- A mosque and police facilities including the Counter-Terrorism Department and Special Branch
- Attacker status
- Reports differed: Reuters said all seven attackers were killed, while a later police account said militants remained inside
- Responsibility
- Early reports variously named Ittehadul Mujahideen and Inqilabi Islami Pakistan
Sources
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