Terrorism incidents hit highest level in Pakistan for last one decade, reveals data
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In August, Pakistan experienced a significant surge in militant attacks, recording 99 incidents, the highest in any single month since November 2014. These attacks resulted in 112 fatalities and 87 injuries, primarily affecting security personnel and civilians. Compared to July, there was an 83 percent increase in militant attacks, with 54 incidents reported during that month.
According to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in Islamabad, August also witnessed four suicide attacks, three in tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and one in mainland KP. In July, there were five suicide attacks, the highest in a year. In total, the country saw 22 suicide attacks in the first eight months of 2023, resulting in 227 deaths and 497 injuries.
Security forces responded effectively to the militant threat, thwarting many attacks by eliminating 24 militants and apprehending 69 others in various operations across the country.
Balochistan and erstwhile FATA were the most affected regions by militant violence in August compared to the previous month. Balochistan witnessed a 65 percent increase in militant attacks, rising from 17 in July to 28 in August. Erstwhile FATA saw a 106 percent increase, going from 18 attacks in July to 37 in August. However, both regions also experienced a decrease in fatalities, with a 19 percent and 29 percent reduction, respectively.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (excluding tribal districts) also saw a significant uptick in militant attacks, rising from 15 in July to 29 in August, an 83 percent increase. Fatalities and injuries also increased by 188 percent and 73 percent, respectively. The province was primarily targeted by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its splinter groups, which claimed responsibility for several attacks.
Sindh experienced a slight increase in militant attacks, from three in July to five in August, with the death toll rising from one to four.
Punjab remained relatively peaceful, with no reported militant attacks in August. The sole attack in July was a low-intensity blast near a police station in Lahore, resulting in one injury.
The data also highlights that security forces remained the primary target of militant violence, accounting for 50 percent of total fatalities and 63 percent of total injuries, marking a 51 percent increase in security force casualties in August compared to July 2023
