Significant decrease in suicide attacks recorded in 2024: PICSS report

ISLAMABAD: There was a 21 percent increase in deaths from terrorist attacks in 2024, while the number of injuries decreased by 5 percent, according to a security report released by the Islamabad-based think tank, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The 1,177 people killed in 2024 included 488 civilians, 461 security forces personnel, and 225 terrorists. While the injured included 692 civilians, 589 security personnel and 11 terrorists. Security forces arrested 223 suspected terrorists and their facilitators. The security report shows that in 2024, compared to 2023, the strategy of the security forces was mostly focused on eliminating terrorists. Because terrorist deaths increased by 51 percent (725pc compared to 479pc), while arrests decreased by 65 percent (223pc compared to 640pc).

A total of 1,969 people were killed in 2024 as a result of terrorist attacks and security forces operations, including 950 terrorists, 527 security personnel, 489 civilians, and 3 members of peace committees. The total number of injured was 1,463. These included 695 civilians, 626 security personnel and 142 terrorists. Although there was an overall increase in terrorist attacks, there was a significant decrease in suicide attacks, with 17 attacks recorded in 2024 which was 29 in 2023. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for most of the attacks. While the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was in second place.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, factions of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group remained more active in North Waziristan and adjacent areas. While Lashkar-e-Islam intensified its operations in Khyber. The BLF was the second most active in Balochistan. While groups like the Baloch National Army (BNA) had an ordinary presence.

Sindh Desh Revolutionary Army continued low-intensity attacks in Sindh. Significant shift in the terrorists’ strategy, with attempts to temporarily capture territory in some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan was seen in 2024. This strategy included night patrols, setting up temporary checkpoints, and controlling the area for short periods of time.

Interestingly, this strategy was adopted by various groups with different ideologies, such as the religiously active TTP and the secular nationalist BLA. According to PICSS database, 2024 was the deadliest year for terrorists. A total of 950 terrorists were killed this year. This is the highest number of terrorist casualties in any single year after 2016. On the other hand, 2024 was also a very important year in terms of the sacrifices of Pakistani security forces. A total of 527 soldiers and officers of the army, paramilitary forces and police were martyred. This number is the highest in any single year since 2014.