Army commandos clear Kohat Police Lines, killing two holed-up bombers

Commandos of the Pakistan Army brought an end to the clearance operation at the Old Police Lines in Kohat on Saturday after killing the last two suicide bombers holed up in the Special Branch building, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 
The death toll from the Friday’s gun-and-bomb attack at Old Police Lines in Kohat rose to at least 31, including 16 police personnel. "At least 31 people, including 16 police personnel, have been killed and more than 100 injured so far in the militant attack and suicide bombing," a senior police official told AFP.

Attackers stormed the Old Police Lines complex at Kohat, a town of around 220,000 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Friday afternoon.

The police compound serves as a district-level police headquarters, housing key offices of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch and several other police units.

"Several militants holed up in the Special Branch section of the Kohat Police Complex," the police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"An exchange of fire with them has been ongoing since late last night. Their exact number remains unclear," the official added.

Later, the commandos of the Pakistan Army under the supervision of General Officer Commanding Kohat joined the operation against the terrorists.

According to security sources, the Army commandos swung into action after Fajr prayers early Saturday and killed the last two suicide bombers hiding in the Special Branch section. 

The security forces personnel have killed seven terrorists during their operation.

The government has blamed the increase in attacks in KP and Balochistan on militancy emanating from Afghanistan, where the Taliban government denies Afghan involvement.

Reporter Ahmad Mansoor/AFP