Islamabad, September 18 (QNA) - Pakistani authorities announced today that 16 people were killed and more than 50 others injured in an attack targeting a police complex in the city of Kohat, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of northwestern Pakistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police chief, Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed the death toll of 16, including five police officers, and noted that over 50 people were wounded.

He explained that the attack began when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the gate of the old police complex in Kohat. The vehicle exploded, followed by an exchange of gunfire between security forces and militants inside the complex.

He added that some attackers headed toward the Counter-Terrorism Department building, where they were engaged by security forces, while others moved toward the police's Special Branch building.

In a subsequent statement, police reported that another suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near the Special Branch building amidst the ongoing exchange of fire, while authorities deployed additional security reinforcements to the scene.

Rescue teams launched search and relief operations, local hospitals declared a state of emergency to treat the injured, and authorities closed the Kohat-Hangu road to traffic.

In a separate security incident, security sources announced the killing of seven militants in two operations conducted by security forces in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

Citing security sources, state-run Radio Pakistan reported that security forces killed five militants in the Fatah Ali area of ​​Panjgur district and seized quantities of weapons and ammunition found in their possession.

It added that another security operation in the Dhadhar area of ​​Kachhi district resulted in the deaths of two militants and injuries to several others.

In recent months, Pakistan has witnessed an escalation in militant attacks and security operations, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which have seen the bulk of the violence and counter-operations against militant groups.

According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, the number of militant attacks in the country rose to 199 in August, up from 144 in July, marking a 38 percent increase, while Balochistan recorded 89 attacks in August compared to 83 the previous month. (QNA)