Pakistan Faces Surge in Terrorist Attacks in August 2024
In August 2024, Pakistan experienced a sharp increase in terrorist activities, with 59 attacks reported across the country, up from 38 in July. This surge in violence resulted in the deaths of 84 people and injuries to 166 others, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think-tank.
Regions Affected
The majority of these attacks occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with 29 and 28 incidents respectively. Punjab experienced two attacks during the same period.
Balochistan
In Balochistan alone, 28 terrorist incidents were reported, causing 57 fatalities and injuring 84 people. These attacks were primarily orchestrated by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which launched a coordinated assault on August 26, targeting security forces, non-Baloch civilians, and national infrastructure in over seven districts.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced 29 terrorist attacks in August, claiming 25 lives and wounding 80 others. The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-i-Islam, and Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), among others, were responsible for these attacks.
Punjab
Punjab reported two terrorist attacks, which left two civilians injured, while two attackers were also killed.
Security Response
The security situation prompted a robust response from Pakistani security forces and counterterrorism departments, which conducted 12 anti-militant operations in August, resulting in the deaths of 88 militants. These operations also claimed the lives of 15 army soldiers and three police officers.
Challenges and Recommendations
PIPS’ monthly security report highlighted the growing capabilities of the BLA, particularly in its use of sophisticated weaponry and coordinated attacks. The report emphasised the need for the Pakistani government to address the underlying political and social issues in Balochistan. Additionally, it called for urgent investigations into the sources of the BLA’s training, weapons, and funding, and recommended that Pakistan engage with neighbouring Afghanistan and Iran to develop a joint counterterrorism and border security strategy.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia, located next to India. It has a lot of people and different cultures.
Terrorist Attacks -: Terrorist attacks are violent actions done by groups or individuals to scare people and create fear. They often target innocent people.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province in Pakistan. It’s located in the northwestern part of the country.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is another province in Pakistan. It’s the largest province by area and is located in the southwestern part of the country.
Balochistan Liberation Army -: The Balochistan Liberation Army is a group that wants independence for Balochistan. They often use violence to try to achieve their goals.
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan -: Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan is a group that wants to enforce their version of Islamic law in Pakistan. They are known for carrying out violent attacks.
Anti-militant operations -: Anti-militant operations are actions taken by the military or police to stop or capture militants, who are people using violence for political reasons.
Counterterrorism -: Counterterrorism means actions taken to prevent or respond to terrorist activities. It includes things like security measures and military operations.
