Islamabad, Feb 3: A significant rise in terror attacks was reported in Pakistan during January 2025, increasing by 42 percent compared to the previous month, according to a think tank.
As per data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Dawn reported on Monday that there were at least 74 militant attacks nationwide, leading to 91 deaths, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants.
An additional 117 individuals sustained injuries, comprising 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
The report noted a ramped-up counterterrorism effort by security forces, resulting in the elimination of at least 185 militants in January, marking it the second deadliest month for militant casualties since 2016.
The highest number of militants killed in a single month since 2016 occurred in December 2024, with security forces neutralizing 190 militants.
The total number of deaths from militant attacks and security operations in January reached 245, which included 185 militants, 40 security personnel, and 20 civilians.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) emerged as the most severely affected province, followed by Balochistan. In the settled districts of KP, insurgents executed 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, comprising 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
The tribal areas of KP (formerly Fata) experienced 19 attacks, causing 46 deaths, with 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants among the casualties. Balochistan also saw an uptick in militant activity, reporting at least 24 attacks that resulted in 26 deaths, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and nine militants.
In Punjab, two militant attacks were noted, with one security official sustaining injuries. On the final day of January, militants launched a significant assault on a police checkpoint in the Jhangi area of DG Khan, but security forces successfully repelled the attack without any losses.
Both Sindh and the federal capital, Islamabad, recorded one attack each, although neither incident resulted in fatalities.
The month also witnessed two suicide bombings, both occurring in Balochistan. The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for one bombing, while the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army took credit for the other.
Furthermore, the report revealed a troubling increase in kidnappings, with militants abducting at least 37 individuals.
Of these incidents, 22 occurred in five separate events across KP’s Lakki Marwat and Tank districts, while 15 were taken in North and Waziristan districts. This rise in abductions in southern KP indicates a deteriorating security environment, according to the report.
In response, security forces have intensified operations throughout KP and Balochistan, neutralizing 67 militants in the tribal regions of KP (formerly Fata), 71 in settled areas, and 47 in Balochistan.
Counterterrorism raids were conducted across multiple regions of both provinces as authorities strive to counter the escalating militant threat, the report indicated. (Agencies)
