Rise in militant attacks reported in November

Islamabad:Pakistan witnessed another harrowing month of anti-state violence in November 2024, with 245 individuals losing their lives and 257 others injured.

According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the fatalities 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 were responsible for kidnapping 11 individuals during the month.

Out of the total fatalities, 131 deaths occurred in militant attacks, including 54 security forces personnel, 50 civilians, and 27 militants. These attacks left 220 individuals injured, comprising 119 civilians, 95 security forces personnel, and six militants. Meanwhile, 114 of the total 245 deaths resulted from security forces' actions, which claimed the lives of 100 militants and 14 security personnel. PICSS reported a rise in militant activity, with 71 attacks recorded in November compared to 68 in October.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the most affected province, experiencing 50 militant attacks that resulted in 71 deaths and 85 injuries. Within KP, the merged districts (erstwhile FATA) accounted for 28 incidents, leading to 36 fatalities, including 19 civilians, nine security personnel, and eight militants.

These attacks left 62 people injured, comprising 33 civilians, 27 security personnel, and two militants. Security forces' actions in these areas resulted in 64 militants killed and 12 security personnel losing their lives, with 23 militants and nine personnel injured. In mainland KP, 22 militant attacks led to 35 deaths, including 19 security forces personnel, 10 militants, and six civilians, while 23 others were injured. Security operations in mainland KP resulted in 17 militants killed and five wounded.

The Kurram tribal district witnessed one of the worst sectarian clashes in recent history between Sunni and Shia tribes, with over 120 lives lost.

Balochistan recorded 20 militant attacks, resulting in 60 deaths, including 26 security forces personnel, 25 civilians, and nine militants. These attacks injured 135 individuals, including 78 civilians, 53 security forces personnel, and four militants. Security forces’ actions in Balochistan claimed the lives of 16 militants and two security personnel.

In Punjab's DG Khan district, militants launched a coordinated attack on a police station, which was repulsed successfully, according to police officials. No militant attacks were reported in Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad, or Gilgit-Baltistan.

However, Karachi authorities apprehended the mastermind behind a suicide bombing targeting Chinese nationals near Karachi airport. Additionally, three militants were arrested in Islamabad. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) highlighted that militant fatalities in November (127) were the highest in a single month since February 2017, when 148 militants 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.

PICSS noted that deaths from militant attacks have exceeded 1,000 (1,082) in the first 11 months of 2024. The year has seen a total of 856 militant attacks, compared to 645 recorded in the entirety of 2023, underscoring the escalating security challenges faced by the country.