Oct. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistan militant attacks on key law enforcement facilities in two cities killed at least 15 people, escalating violence as the army prepares for a possible ground assault against Taliban fighters close to the Afghan border.Seven people were killed in three simultaneous attacks on police buildings in the eastern city of Lahore by as many as 30 militants, Rana Sanaullah, a minister and spokesman for the Punjab provincial government, said by telephone from Lahore. Policemen and civilians are among the dead, he said. In the northwestern city of Kohat, a bombing killed eight people, including four police, the Edhi ambulance service said.
The attackers had been unsuccessful in their plan "to take hostages at all three places and make demands," Sanaullah said. The local headquarters of the Federal Investigation Agency has been cleared of militants and gunfire is continuing at two other police buildings, he said. Television networks showed troops taking up positions, while GEO TV reported the Pakistani Taliban had claimed responsibility for the coordinated raids.