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Pakistan shaken by fresh attacks Pakistan shaken by fresh attacks
(20 minutes later)
Gunmen have attacked law enforcement buildings in Pakistan, with at least 18 people reported killed in Lahore and eight in a suicide bombing elsewhere.Gunmen have attacked law enforcement buildings in Pakistan, with at least 18 people reported killed in Lahore and eight in a suicide bombing elsewhere.
The highest-profile target in Lahore was the Federal Investigation Agency offices. There were also co-ordinated attacks on two police academies.The highest-profile target in Lahore was the Federal Investigation Agency offices. There were also co-ordinated attacks on two police academies.
Meanwhile, in the north-western town of Kohat, a suicide bomber rammed his car into a police station, killing eight.Meanwhile, in the north-western town of Kohat, a suicide bomber rammed his car into a police station, killing eight.
There has been an upsurge in violence in Pakistan in recent weeks.There has been an upsurge in violence in Pakistan in recent weeks.
Lahore itself was long spared Pakistan's militant violence, but there have been a number of attacks in the city since the start of the year.Lahore itself was long spared Pakistan's militant violence, but there have been a number of attacks in the city since the start of the year.
Belt recoveredBelt recovered
Four gunmen attacked the Federal Investigation Agency building (FIA) in Lahore early on Thursday, officials say.Four gunmen attacked the Federal Investigation Agency building (FIA) in Lahore early on Thursday, officials say.
ANALYSIS M Ilyas Khan, BBC News, IslamabadANALYSIS M Ilyas Khan, BBC News, Islamabad
Militants have accelerated attacks amid an impending military operation in South Waziristan. The message is that things could get worse if the operation is launched.Militants have accelerated attacks amid an impending military operation in South Waziristan. The message is that things could get worse if the operation is launched.
The militants give the impression of having regrouped quickly after the death of their top commander, Baitullah Mehsud, in a suspected US drone strike in August.The militants give the impression of having regrouped quickly after the death of their top commander, Baitullah Mehsud, in a suspected US drone strike in August.
But unlike in the past, they are up against an increasingly determined security force.But unlike in the past, they are up against an increasingly determined security force.
Despite receiving considerable casualties, the security forces have prevented them from taking hostages, and have either killed or captured them.Despite receiving considerable casualties, the security forces have prevented them from taking hostages, and have either killed or captured them.
On Thursday, they also succeeded in preventing prolonged hold-ups in Lahore.On Thursday, they also succeeded in preventing prolonged hold-ups in Lahore.
At least seven people were killed in the battle - including police and attackers, officials said.At least seven people were killed in the battle - including police and attackers, officials said.
A police spokesman said: "We found grenades and a suicide jacket near one dead person. Two dead bodies have been found near the front gate. The building has been cleared and the employees are safe."A police spokesman said: "We found grenades and a suicide jacket near one dead person. Two dead bodies have been found near the front gate. The building has been cleared and the employees are safe."
In March 2008, 21 people were killed in a suicide attack on the same FIA building.In March 2008, 21 people were killed in a suicide attack on the same FIA building.
At least 11 people - including police officers and suspected militants - were killed in Thursday's assaults on the other security facilities in Lahore.At least 11 people - including police officers and suspected militants - were killed in Thursday's assaults on the other security facilities in Lahore.
One was the Manawan police training academy, where police said three of the attackers had blown themselves up.One was the Manawan police training academy, where police said three of the attackers had blown themselves up.
The other target was the Bedia police training centre. Fighting is reported to be continuing there.The other target was the Bedia police training centre. Fighting is reported to be continuing there.
Kohat destructionKohat destruction
Thursday's attack in Kohat saw a bomber ram his car into the wall of the police station compound, police said, causing part of the station to collapse with the impact.Thursday's attack in Kohat saw a bomber ram his car into the wall of the police station compound, police said, causing part of the station to collapse with the impact.
Eyewitnesses say that both civilians and policemen are among the dead.Eyewitnesses say that both civilians and policemen are among the dead.
RECENT MILITANT ATTACKS 15 October - Gunmen attack law-enforcement targets in Lahore10 October - Militants attack the main army headquarters in Rawalpindi - at least 20 dead9 Oct - At least 50 killed in suspected suicide bombing in Peshawar5 Oct - Suicide bomber attacks UN offices in Islamabad killing five26 Sept - At least 16 people killed in two suicide car bombs, in Peshawar and Bannu Why attack Lahore? RECENT MILITANT ATTACKS 15 October - Gunmen attack law-enforcement targets in Lahore10 October - Militants attack the main army headquarters in Rawalpindi - at least 20 dead9 Oct - At least 50 killed in suspected suicide bombing in Peshawar5 Oct - Suicide bomber attacks UN offices in Islamabad killing five26 Sept - At least 16 people killed in two suicide car bombs, in Peshawar and Bannu href="/2/hi/south_asia/8308236.stm">In pictures: Lahore police attacks class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/7972565.stm">Why attack Lahore?
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says that although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks there is a feeling that the militants are trying to seize the initiative.The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says that although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks there is a feeling that the militants are trying to seize the initiative.
The finger of blame, our correspondent adds, will be pointed towards the Taliban, who just a couple of weeks ago had threatened a wave of attacks against security forces unless the army's operations against them came to an end.The finger of blame, our correspondent adds, will be pointed towards the Taliban, who just a couple of weeks ago had threatened a wave of attacks against security forces unless the army's operations against them came to an end.
Lahore, the centre of Pakistan's cultural life and its most liberal major city, has seen a string of deadly attacks throughout 2009.Lahore, the centre of Pakistan's cultural life and its most liberal major city, has seen a string of deadly attacks throughout 2009.
In one of the most notable incidents, in March gunmen attacked the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team, killing six policemen. In June a prominent anti-Taliban cleric was killed by suicide bomber at his religious school.In one of the most notable incidents, in March gunmen attacked the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team, killing six policemen. In June a prominent anti-Taliban cleric was killed by suicide bomber at his religious school.
More than 100 people have died in a series of attacks across Pakistan in the past three weeks.More than 100 people have died in a series of attacks across Pakistan in the past three weeks.
These have included a raid by militants on the army headquarters in Rawalpindi at the weekend, in which at least 20 people were killed. About 40 people were taken hostage, until security forces stormed the compound.These have included a raid by militants on the army headquarters in Rawalpindi at the weekend, in which at least 20 people were killed. About 40 people were taken hostage, until security forces stormed the compound.
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