Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
Despite a surge in casualties, Pakistan has experienced a notable reduction in militant activities throughout September 2023.
The recent statistics unveiled by the Islamabad-based think tank, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), indicate a substantial 34 percent decline in militant attacks when contrasted with the preceding month of August 2023, which had registered the highest frequency of such attacks in a single month since November 2014. In September, there were 65 reported militant attacks, resulting in 136 deaths and 144 injuries. Notably, there was an 87 percent increase in civilian deaths compared to August 2023, with 84 civilians losing their lives in militant attacks in September, while 45 had met a similar fate the previous month.
According to the PICSS’ report, the month also witnessed a 37 percent increase in security forces’ operations and a staggering 96 percent surge in militant fatalities during these operations. Security forces eliminated at least 47 suspected militants while apprehending 46. In contrast, August saw 24 militants killed and 69 arrested.
The coordinated efforts of Pakistani security forces at the operational level, combined with the government’s diplomatic initiatives, appear to be yielding positive results.
At the provincial level, mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced 23 militant attacks, resulting in 34 deaths and 73 injuries. In the tribal districts of KP (formerly FATA), 17 militant attacks were reported, leading to 19 deaths and 18 injuries. Balochistan recorded 20 reported militant attacks, leading to 77 casualties and 46 injuries. Sindh reported four militant attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 5 individuals and injuries to two, while Azad Kashmir reported a single militant attack that led to the assassination of one person.
It is noteworthy that despite the decline in militant attacks compared to August 2023, the month of September still ranks as the second-highest month for such incidents since March 2015.
Moreover, the first nine months of 2023 have witnessed a staggering 489 militant attacks, leading to 763 deaths and 1105 injuries. This figure marks a significant 29 percent increase in militant attacks when compared to the entire previous year of 2022.
