At least 245 people, including 68 security personnel, were killed in a string of terrorist attacks and clashes across Pakistan in November. According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), those killed in different violent incidents included 127 militants, 68 security forces personnel and 50 civilians. Among the injured were 119 civilians, 104 security forces personnel and 34 militants. Security forces arrested 20 suspected militants, while militant groups kidnapped 11 individuals during the month. The data showed that deaths from terrorist attacks have exceeded 1,000 (1,082) in the first 11 months of 2024. The year has seen a total of 856 terrorist attacks, compared to 645 recorded in 2023, underscoring the escalating security challenges faced by the country.
November is the second deadliest month after August, when 254 people lost their lives, including 92 civilians, 108 militants and 54 security forces personnel. The spike in the anti-state violence is a serious phenomenon in the backdrop of the increased focus of the Government and stepped up efforts of the Pakistan Army to improve the security environment. The hike in terror incidents and anti-state violence is surely aimed at distracting Pakistan’s attention on policies and programmes aimed at accelerating the pace of socio-economic progress. It seems enemies of the country have ganged up to deny people of Pakistan the opportunity to continue their march on the road to development and prosperity. This is evident from the pattern of the violence as terrorists and their backers are making Chinese nationals their special target in their bid to undermine the resolve of the Chinese leadership to support efforts of Pakistan for economic recovery and move towards sustainable development. Balochistan has a strategic location and the resource rich province has the potential to help realize not only dreams of the people of Balochistan about progress and prosperity but also contribute significantly to the national economy. Therefore, a host of foreign intelligence agencies are active to destabilize the province as part of their own designs and objectives.
There is also undeniable evidence that TTP fugitives in Afghanistan, in connivance with the Afghan intelligence agency, are actively involved in terrorist attacks in KP and Punjab. The latest data shows Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected region, experiencing 50 terrorist attacks that resulted in 71 deaths and 85 injuries. Similarly, Balochistan recorded 20 terrorist attacks, resulting in 60 deaths, including 26 security forces personnel, 25 civilians and nine terrorists. The report highlighted that terrorist fatalities in November (127) were the highest in a single month since February 2017, when 148 terrorists 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.
This highlights the vulnerability of our security personnel and the need to invest both in terms of technology and training to equip them properly to handle the situation effectively at minimal losses. The Pakistan Army and the security agencies are fully resolved to eliminate the menace of terrorism but the objective cannot be realized without complete support of the people and meaningful cooperation of the provincial governments. We have been hearing for a long time about plans aimed at strengthening coordination of all institutions in terms of intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism campaign but there are still loopholes, which need to be bridged. Police department has its network all over the country and it can contribute effectively in the process of intelligence gathering and targeted operations provided it shuns its lethargic posture and is provided necessary resources for the purpose.
In a welcome development, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gundapur has announced measures to boost security including disbursement of additional one trillion rupees to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD); creation of special cells to keep arrested suspects; procurement of twenty bullet-proof vehicles, special kits and drones; and strengthening of prosecution teams. Effective implementation of the plan could bring about a positive change in the overall security situation of the province.
