other was the massacre of Pashtun bus passengers in Mastung. In addition, the son of President Mamnoon Hussain was also targeted in an IED blast in Hub, Balochistan, but he remained safe.
As per the monthly security assessment report of the PICSS, Balochistan has witnessed an increase in militant activities. During the month of May, 34 militant activities were reported in the province that killed 44 persons and injured 51. Given the allegations of Indian intelligenc agency RAW’s involvement in Balochistan and acknowledgement of such policy by Indian defence minister, the latest upsurge in violence in the province seems to be externally driven, which is apparently aimed at sabotaging China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The incident of Mastung bus passenger killings, who were ethnically Pashtun origin, brought about a new dimension to an already fragile security situation of the province. Targeting Pasthun population is meant to pit ethnic communities of Baloch and Pasthuns which could have far reaching implications on security and social condition of the province.
The PICSS report further indicated some increase in IED based attacks as 28 incidents were reported in May in which militants resorted to use IED against 22 incidents in the previous month. The report also highlighted phenomenal increase in incidents of targeted killing during the month of May as 21 incidents of target killing were reported during the month against 11 in the previous month. This increase in targeted killing was more pronounced in Balochistan though KP also witnessed some increase while number of incidents of targeted killing remained same in Sindh and Fata as compared to previous month.
PICSS statistics revealed slight reduction in security forces actions. During May 87 security forces actions were carried out in which 137 people were killed, 12 injured and more than 501 suspects were arrested. While intensity in ongoing military operation in North Waziristan has been increased where security forces have targeted militants (including foreigners) in Shawal valley, there have been some less activity reported from Khyber where forces have cleared most part of the agency in operation KhyberI and Khyber II.