Pakistan: 10 killed in terror attack on police station
At least 10 police officers were killed and six others injured after terrorists attacked a police station in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, AFP reported. The incident comes just days before Pakistan votes in a general election that has already seen dozens of attacks on candidates and supporters. A police official said over 30 terrorists attacked Chaudhwan Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan district. "There was an exchange of fire for over two-and-a-half hours," he added.
Terrorists managed to escape after gunfight: Official
The attack reportedly took place at around 3:00am (local time) when the terrorists fired sniper shots at guards and barged into the police station. "After entering the building, the terrorists used hand grenades which caused more casualties to the police," Reuters reported. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat Gandapur said the terrorists briefly seized control of the facility but managed to escape after a counter-offensive was launched. It was not immediately clear who was behind the terror attack.
Recent terror attacks in Pakistan
This is the latest in a series of attacks in Pakistan ahead of the general elections. Recently, the border regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed attacks by Pakistan Taliban, Islamic State(ISIS), and other groups. A national assembly candidate, Rehan Zeb Khan was shot dead on January 31, along with his four aides in a tribal district. On January 30, a bomb blast in Balochistan killed at least 15 people. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
No changes in election dates: Election Commission of Pakistan
The rise in terror attacks, especially in the western areas of Pakistan, had raised the possibility of a delay in the elections. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced last week that polls would proceed as planned on Thursday (February 8). This decision came after an urgent meeting with security officials. To ensure voter safety during the elections, thousands of security personnel are being deployed across the country.
