Pakistan confronts soaring surge in suicide attacks, claiming over 200 lives in 7 months of 2023

ISLAMABAD, July 31 (SABAH): Pakistan is grappling with a distressing surge in suicide attacks, witnessing a significant rise in fatalities and injuries compared to the previous year. The country has already experienced 18 suicide attacks in the first seven months of 2023, resulting in the loss of more than 200 lives and leaving over 450 others injured. This alarming figure has surpassed the total number of suicide attacks recorded in the entirety of 2022, which stood at 15.

The most severely affected region has been the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (erstwhile FATA), accounting for half of the total suicide attacks in 2023. Nine of these attacks have struck the area, leading to the tragic demise of approximately 60 people, while over 150 others sustained injuries. Notably, the deadliest attack of the year in the tribal region occurred during a JUIF gathering on Sunday, July 30th.

Mainland KP faced its own share of devastation, with four suicide attacks causing the deaths of more than 110 people and leaving 245 injured. Among them, the Peshawar Police Line attack stood out as the deadliest in the country, claiming the lives of over 100 individuals.

Balochistan also experienced a troubling wave of violence, encountering at least four suicide attacks within the first seven months of 2023. Tragically, 14 people lost their lives, and 27 others were injured in these attacks.

Additionally, one reported suicide attack occurred in Sindh, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuring 18 others