Violence-Linked Fatalities
ISLAMABAD: In 2023, Pakistan experienced a concerning surge in violence, recording 1,524 fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, as highlighted in the annual security report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
This marked a record six-year high in overall fatalities, surpassing the levels seen in 2018 and reaching the highest point since 2017. The year witnessed a continuous increase in violence for the third consecutive year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces being the primary hotspots, accounting for over 90% of all fatalities and 84% of attacks.
The CRSS report revealed a staggering 56% surge in violence in 2023, a notable escalation in the past decade, with the total number of fatalities rising from 980 in 2022 to 1,524. Balochistan saw a 57% increase, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed a 55% rise, and Punjab experienced a 96% surge, although the number of fatalities remained comparatively low. The report indicated that almost 65% of all violence-related fatalities resulted from terrorism, with 35% attributed to security forces’ operations against outlaws.
Additionally, a separate report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) highlighted a 69% rise in militant attacks across the country in 2023. The average monthly militant attacks increased from 32 in 2022 to 53 in 2023, the highest monthly average since 2015. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of attacks and casualties, with a significant increase in mainland KP. Balochistan experienced a 65% rise in militant attacks, while Sindh, Punjab, and other regions also saw escalations.
The combined findings underscore the alarming escalation of violence in Pakistan in 2023, raising concerns about its impact on the security landscape and the broader implications for regional stability. Overall, in the year 2023, violence-linked fatalities in Pakistan reached 1,524, with 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations.
