Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Pakistan police headquarters attack kills 31 as Kohat fighting continues
An armed attack happened at a police headquarters in Kohat, Pakistan.
The attack included a suicide bombing.
At least 31 people were killed, including 16 police officers.
More than 100 people were hurt.
Some attackers were still inside part of the police complex.
Security forces continued fighting them after Friday night.
The building contains several police offices and units.
Pakistan says some violence is connected to militants based in Afghanistan, but the Taliban government in Kabul denies this.
At least 31 people, including 16 police personnel, were killed in the attack.
More than 100 people were injured in the militant attack and suicide bombing.
Several militants remained in the Special Branch section as security forces exchanged fire.
The attackers entered the Old Police Lines complex in Kohat on Friday afternoon.
Pakistan links rising violence to Afghanistan-based militancy, while Kabul’s Taliban government denies Afghan involvement.
- Who
- Militants attacked a police complex; at least 31 people, including 16 police personnel, were killed.
- What
- An attack and suicide bombing occurred at the Old Police Lines police headquarters, followed by an ongoing security operation.
- When
- The attackers entered on Friday afternoon; fighting continued from late Friday night, with the death toll reported Saturday.
- Where
- The Old Police Lines complex in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.
- Why
- The specific motive was not stated; Pakistan linked the attack to wider Afghanistan-based militancy, while the Taliban government denied Afghan involvement.
Pakistan’s position
Taliban government’s position
Attribution of militant violence
Pakistan’s position
Pakistan attributes the rising level of militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to militancy linked to Afghanistan.
Taliban government’s position
The Taliban government in Kabul denies allegations of Afghan involvement in the violence.
- Death toll
- At least 31 people
- Police personnel killed
- 16
- Injuries
- More than 100 people
- Location
- Old Police Lines complex, Kohat
- Attackers
- Several militants remained in the Special Branch section
- Facility
- Kohat’s district police headquarters, including Counter Terrorism Department and Special Branch offices
- Population of Kohat
- Approximately 220,000 residents