Pak think tank sees significant gains in war on terror

Islamabad
The independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) has reported that significant developments taking place last month will have far reaching implications on security situation in the country. One of such developments was related to Balochistan where government's multi-pronged strategy is paying dividends and there are increasing signs of province setting on the path of recovery though there is still a long way to go.
Another significant development was crack down, particularly in Punjab, on seminaries that are considered to be linked with militancy and sectarianism despite government's reluctance for quite some time fearing resistance from religious parties. According to statistics issued by the Institute no significant change was observed in last one month in terms of militant attacks. During August 53 militant attacks were recorded as compared to 47 in the previous month. The resultant deaths had witnessed a slight reduction in the month of August with figures of 110 deaths as compared to 124 in July. In these 53 militant attacks, 30 security forces personnel and 46 civilians lost their lives while 34 militants were also killed.
Notable increase in militant activities was observed in Sindh, slight increase in militant activities was observed in Fata while Balochistan and KP witnessed reduction in violence during August as compared to previous month. Only militant activity in Punjab during the month was significant where Punjab Home Minister Colonel (r) Shuja Khanzada, who was spearheading counter-militancy drive in the province, was killed in a suicide attack in his home town in Attock. According to statistics collected by PICSS regarding anti-state violence in Pakistan, a total number of 19 IEDs were recorded with three in Baluchistan, 13 in Fata, one in KP, and two in Sindh. A total of 19 militants' physical assaults were also observed throughout the country with five in Baluchistan, five in FATA, four in Sindh, four in KPK and one in Punjab. Eight incidents of target killing were reported across the country with two such incidents in Balochistan, three in KP and three in Sindh. One rocket attack was noticed in Balochistan while two grenade attacks were recorded in the province of Sindh. The PICSS statistics revealed that security forces have also intensified their operations against militants across the country while starting ground operation in North Waziristan where military operation Zarb-e-Azb is being conducted and previously only air strikes were carried out on militants' hideouts. In August, 97 security forces actions were recorded across the country against 47 witnessed during the month of July. In these 97 security forces actions, at least 245 suspected militants were killed while only three civilians and three security forces personnel lost their lives. Security forces continued to focus on intelligence based operations and as many as 999 suspects were arrested across the country while majority of them were arrested from Punjab where seminaries belonging to various schools of thought were raided that are believed to be somehow linked with militancy and sectarianism.
In Balochistan, 400 insurgents belonging to various militant groups laid down their arms before the authorities on the eve of Independence Day. In Sindh, security forces continued to target various brands of militants and their so-called abettors with some notable success in terms of arresting or eliminating militants belonging to various militant outfits like al-Qaeda, TTP, etc. in addition to arrest of Dr Asim belonging to PPP for his alleged links with terrorism related activities. The arrest of Dr Asim and remanding him into Rangers custody has opened a Pandora's Box with PPP joining MQM in complaining about scope, mode and objective of Karachi operation.