‘Decline in militant attacks despite high-profile incidents in March’

Islamabad: Despite a surge in high-profile attacks, overall militant activities notably decreased during March 2024 in Pakistan. Data released by the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) shows that a total of 56 militant incidents, resulting in 77 fatalities and 67 injuries throughout the month.

Compared with February 2024, there was a substantial decline of 42 per cent in the number of attacks, accompanied by an 11 per cent decrease in fatalities and a notable 43 per cent decrease in injuries.

The month witnessed an unsettling trend as militants opted for high-profile assaults, including attacks on significant security installations and civilian targets. Among the notable incidents, there was an attack on the Pakistani security forces camp in Mir Ali, resulting in deaths and injuries of officers and soldiers. Additionally, an attack targeted offices of intelligence services in Gwadar Port Complex, and Pakistan's second largest Naval Air Station PNS Siddique in Turbat was also attacked. Furthermore, a suicide attack occurred against Chinese workers in Basham KP, resulting in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani driver. It is worth noting that at least three high-profile attacks were directly or indirectly aimed against Chinese interests in Pakistan.

The PICSS Militancy database indicated that settled districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced the highest number of attacks, accounting for half of the total incidents (27), resulting in 31 deaths and same number of injuries. Baluchistan followed with 16 attacks, resulting in 26 deaths and 21 injuries. Moreover, tribal districts recorded 11 attacks, leading to 18 fatalities and 15 injuries. The federal capital Islamabad and Punjab each experienced one attack, resulting in one security personnel and one civilian casualty, respectively.

The PICSS database further highlighted that the first quarter of 2024 witnessed a total of 246 attacks in Pakistan, resulting in 254 deaths and 320 injuries. Comparatively, this marks a significant rise of 58 percent in militant activities compared to the last quarter of 2023, with a 20 per cent increase in resultant fatalities and a 29 per cent increase in injuries.