Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan – At least 10 police officers were killed in Pakistan and six more wounded when gunmen attacked a police station in the country’s north-west, officials said.
The attack took place in the town of Dera Ismail Khan amid an uptick in violence ahead of this week’s national elections. Gunmen overran the police station in a pre-dawn attack, according to local official Mohamed Afzal. The attackers threw hand grenades at the building before engaging in a gun battle with the police that lasted for several hours.
This attack, the deadliest in weeks, occurred just days before Pakistan’s national elections scheduled for Thursday. The surge in violence by Islamist militants in recent months has raised concerns about the security situation leading up to the vote.
The north-western province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has experienced a steady rise in violence by militants following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
The attack highlights the challenges and risks faced by law enforcement officials in Pakistan as they work to maintain security and combat violent extremism in the region. The upcoming elections add further urgency for authorities to address these security concerns and ensure the safety of both law enforcement personnel and the general public.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by militant groups in the region, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and coordinated efforts to address the root causes of extremism and violence.