ISLAMABAD: The month of June saw a decline in militant attacks, resulting in fewer deaths and injuries.
According to data released by the Islamabad-based think tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militants carried out 69 attacks across the country during June 2024. These attacks resulted in 60 deaths, including 33 security forces personnel, 26 civilians, and one militant.
Additionally, 65 people were injured, comprising 33 civilians, 31 security forces personnel, and one militant. Compared to May 2024, there was a 20 percent decline in militant attacks, a 33 percent decrease in resultant deaths, and a 25 percent decrease in injuries.
It is worth noting that June witnessed the lowest deaths in militant attacks during the year 2024 so far. Pakistani security forces killed 31 militants and arrested 27 others in their actions.
Pakistan has announced the launch of a comprehensive initiative against terrorism under the banner ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’. The month of June also witnessed the most high-profile arrest from TTP since the group’s inception. Pakistan presented TTP’s top commander Nasrullah alias Molvi Mansoor, a member of the group’s Shura.
PICSS data shows that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the most affected province, followed by Balochistan. In mainland KP, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 21 deaths, including 15 security forces personnel and five civilians, while 18 people were injured, including nine civilians, eight security forces personnel, and one militant. Militants also kidnapped five people from mainland KP, highlighting a rising trend in kidnapping incidents in the province.
In the tribal districts of KP (erstwhile FATA), militants carried out 28 attacks, resulting in 30 deaths, including 18 civilians and 12 security forces personnel, and 28 injuries, including 16 security forces personnel and 12 civilians.
Balochistan witnessed 11 attacks, resulting in six deaths, including four security forces personnel and two civilians, while 14 people were injured, including eight civilians and six security forces personnel. Militants also kidnapped 10 people from Balochistan, three of whom were later released.
Notably, Balochistan recorded a 52 percent decline in militant attacks, an 80 percent decline in resultant deaths, and a 69 percent decline in injuries during June, which is significant in the context of the prevailing security situation.
Punjab and Sindh also saw improvements in security, with each province witnessing one and two militant attacks, respectively, resulting in one death in Punjab and two in Sindh.
According to the PICSS database, in the first six months of 2024, Pakistan faced 478 attacks, resulting in 474 deaths and 539 injuries. During the same period in 2023, the country faced 271 attacks, resulting in 391 deaths and 656 injuries.
