PICSS seeks more steps to curb attacks by militants

ISLAMABAD: A freeze in diminishing trend of militant attacks has been observed by Islamabad based independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
According to statistics gathered and recorded by the PICSS, the number of militant attacks has been floating around 50 attacks per month suggesting that hard measures adopted by the state have attained their maximum utility and further improvement in security situation in the country is not likely until and unless other measures espoused in National Action Plan (NAP) are invigorated. Despite men and material losses to militants in ongoing military operations/IOBs, militants’ capability of planning and executing a high profile attack has not completely diminished.
According to Monthly Security Assessment report released by the institute no significant change was observed in September in terms of overall number of militant attacks when compared with previous months. During September, 55 militant attacks were recorded against 53 in the month of August. The resultant deaths had witnessed a slight increase during September with figures of 125 deaths as compared to 110 in August.
In these 55 militant attacks, 40 security forces personnel, 13 Razakars and 38 civilians lost their lives whereas 34 militants were also killed. Notable increase in militant activities was observed in KP, while Balochistan, Fata and Sindh witnessed reduction in violence during this month.
A significant militant activity was observed in KP where militants managed to target a strategic location and this time it was PAF base in Badaber in Peshawar where 13 militants belonging to TTP targeted residential camp of PAF, who is engaged in airstrikes and targeting militants in military offensive launched in Fata. The attack caused deaths of 29 people including PAF and Army personnel while injuring the same number while all 13 attackers were killed.
According to data gathered by PICSS regarding anti-state violence in Pakistan, a total number of 12 IEDs were recorded with six in Fata, five in KP, and one in Punjab. A total of 19 militants’ physical assaults were also noted throughout the country with three in Balochistan, three in Fata, two in Sindh, seven in KP, three in Punjab and one in Gilgit-Baltistan. Seventeen incidents of target killing were reported across the country, suggesting an increase in such type of incidents during the month. Seven incidents of target killing were noticed in Balochistan, three in KP, six in Punjab and three in Sindh.
Two rocket attacks were noticed in KP while two grenade attacks were recorded in the Fata. The PICSS report revealed that security forces operations against militants are maintaining the same pace. After attack on PAF camp, airstrikes were conducted on militants’ hideouts.
In September, 90 security forces actions against militants were recorded across the country. In these 90 actions, at least 154 suspected militants were killed while 14 civilians and six security forces personnel lost their lives. Security forces continued to focus on intelligence based operations and as many as 415 suspects were arrested across the country.
In Balochistan more number of people laid down their arms before authorities, which could help further improvement in security situation in the province in near future.
Provincial and federal governments issued code of conduct for collecting sacrificial hides restricting banned organisations to collect hides while seeking approval of the relevant authorities was mandatory for all other organisations to collect hides. Some arrests were made across the country in connection with breaking code of conduct and collection of hides by the banned outfits.