Islamabad: In a concerning development, Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in terrorist activities, with April marking a 38% increase in attacks compared to March. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) has released a detailed security assessment report revealing that the country grappled with 77 terrorist incidents in April alone, resulting in the tragic loss of 70 lives.
The report paints a grim picture of the escalating violence, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) region, which bore the brunt of the attacks. A staggering 73% of April’s incidents occurred in KPK, with the tribal districts facing relentless assaults. The southern districts of D.I. Khan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Tank emerged as the most afflicted, accounting for 71% of the attacks within KPK.
Despite a slight 9% decrease in fatalities, the number of injuries remained unchanged from the previous month. The security forces’ valiant efforts to counteract the threat resulted in the elimination of 55 suspected terrorists, a notable 55% increase in neutralized threats compared to March. The report also highlights the successful prevention of further attacks, with 12 arrests made during the month.
The analysis extends beyond KPK, shedding light on the situation in Balochistan, where 16 attacks claimed 21 lives, including 17 civilians. The province’s southern and southwestern regions, particularly Khuzdar, Kej, Kohlu, and Quetta, were identified as hotspots for such violent incidents.
The report concludes with a broader overview of the first four months of the year, during which Pakistan faced a staggering 323 terrorist attacks, resulting in 324 deaths and 387 injuries. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for reinforced security measures and international support to combat the rising tide of terrorism in the region.
