Terrorist attacks declined by 16pc in 2019

LANDIKOTAL: The security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has improved in 2019 compared to 2018, said a report by a non-governmental organisation.

According to the statement from Fata Research Centre (FRC), 160 violent incidents including 106 terrorist attacks were recorded during 2019, while there were 264 such incidents including 127 terrorist attacks in 2018, thus showing a decline of 16 percent in acts of terror.

The statement said that 171 persons were killed and 110 injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2018 while 54 security forces died and 107 others injured in 2019, showing a reduction of 24 percent in casualties.

Irfanudin from the Centre said that military operations against militant groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal districts have considerably weakened the operational capacity of militant organisations. “Instead of suicide attacks, militants are now largely relying on cross-border attacks, target killing and IED attacks to remain in the limelight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added.