Rising tide of militant attacks marks start of Election Year in Pakistan: PICSS Report
ISLAMABAD, Feb 01 (SABAH): As Pakistan gears up for the impending general elections, the first month of the year has witnessed a disconcerting surge in militant activities, with a staggering 102 percent increase compared to the final month of 2023.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, released alarming statistics documenting at least 93 militant attacks across the nation in January 2024 resulting in 90 fatalities, 135 injuries, and the abduction of 15 individuals.
Despite the rise in attacks, the impact on human losses was somewhat mitigated. A 15 percent increase in resultant deaths and a 19 percent rise in injuries were reported. Among those killed, the victims included 41 civilians, 37 security forces personnel, and 12 militants. The injured comprised 81 civilians and 54 security forces personnel.
The province of Balochistan bore the brunt of the onslaught, with 33 reported attacks leading to 31 deaths and 50 injuries. Mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced 30 attacks, resulting in 17 fatalities and 21 injuries. Former FATA (newly merged districts of KP) witnessed 24 attacks, claiming 36 lives and injuring 57. Sindh faced four militant attacks, causing five deaths and six injuries. Punjab and Islamabad each reported a solitary attack with no significant casualties.
As the electoral landscape heats up, attacks against election-related activities, including the targeting of candidates, have surged. PICSS recorded 21 such attacks in January, claiming 10 lives and injuring 25. Notably, two candidates lost their lives – Rehan Zeb Khan, a prominent youth leader and PTI local leader from Bajaur, and an independent candidate from Mir Ali in North Waziristan. Several candidates narrowly escaped harm in these attacks.
In a countermeasure, Pakistani security forces successfully thwarted numerous attacks, eliminating at least 32 suspected militants while apprehending nine others