ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has witnessed another harrowing month of anti-state violence, with 245 individuals, including 68 security personnel and 50 civilians, losing their lives and 257 others sustaining injuries in November 2024.
The death toll includes as many as 127 fatalities of terrorists — the highest in a single month since February 2017 when 148 militants were killed.
Among the injured were 119 civilians, 104 security forces personnel, and 34 terrorists, according to the November data collected and released by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
Last month, security forces arrested 20 suspected terrorists, while militants were responsible for the abduction of 11 individuals.
It reported a rise in militant activity, with 71 attacks recorded in November compared to 68 in October.
PICSS data shows militant fatalities at highest point since February 2017
Underscoring the escalating security challenges faced by the country, it noted that deaths from militant attacks have exceeded 1,000 (1,082) during the last 11 months when a total of 856 militant attacks were recorded, compared to 645 recorded in the entire 2023.
The data indicated that terrorist attacks and exchange of fire with forces were responsible for 131 killings, including 54 security forces personnel, 50 civilians, and 27 terrorists. These attacks left 220 individuals — 119 civilians, 95 security personnel and six terrorists — wounded.
Security forces actions resulted in the killing of 100 militants, while 14 personnel embraced martyrdom during these actions.
Attacks in KP, Balochistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the most affected province, experiencing 50 militant attacks that resulted in 71 deaths and 85 injuries. Within KP, the merged districts (erstwhile Fata) accounted for 28 incidents, leading to 36 fatalities, including 19 civilians, nine security personnel, and eight militants. These attacks left 62 individuals — 33 civilians, 27 security personnel and two terrorists — injured.
Security forces’ actions in the tribal districts resulted in the killing of 64 terrorists whereas 12 personnel were martyred.
The Kurram tribal district witnessed sectarian clashes between tribes, with over 120 lives lost.
In mainland KP, 22 militant attacks led to 35 deaths, including 19 security personnel, 10 militants, and six civilians, while 23 others were injured. Security operations in mainland KP left 17 militants dead and five wounded.
Balochistan recorded 20 militant attacks, resulting in 60 deaths, including 26 security forces personnel, 25 civilians, and nine militants. These attacks injured 135 individuals, including 78 civilians, 53 security forces personnel, and four militants. Security forces’ actions in Balochistan claimed the lives of 16 terrorists and two security personnel.
No militant attacks were reported in Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan, while militants launched a coordinated attack on a police station in Punjab’s Dera Ghazi Khan, which was repulsed successfully.
The Sindh authorities in apprehended the mastermind behind a suicide bombing targeting Chinese nationals near Karachi airport. Additionally, three terrorists were arrested in Islamabad.
The PICSS highlighted that terrorist fatalities in November (127) were the highest in a single month since February 2017, when 148 militants were killed. However, security forces also suffered significant losses, with 68 personnel killed—the highest monthly toll since January 2023, when 114 security forces personnel lost their lives.
Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024
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