Pakistan Reader# 736, 1 April 2024
Shamini Velayutham
In Focus
On 01 April, according to a report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan witnessed about 432 violence-linked deaths, 370 injuries of civilians, security personnel and terrorists as a result of terror attacks and counter-terror operations in the first quarter of 2024. According to the report, provinces bordering Afghanistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan witnessed 92 per cent of all the deaths and 86 per cent of attacks that encompass security force operations and terrorism during the first quarter. Although “the former suffered 51per cent and the latter 41per cent of all fatalities in the first quarter of 2024.” Nevertheless, the data states that other regions experienced relatively less than 8 per cent of the violent attacks. About less than 20 per cent attributed to terrorism in the first quarter of 2024 was claimed by the militant organizations, the report added. According to the findings, a new militant group named Jabhat Ansar al-Mahdi Khorasan (JAMK), affiliated with the Gul Bahadur group, has also emerged.
According to Dawn, in addition to attacks and counter attacks, about 64 incidents were reported on the attacks that targeted government properties, politicians, and private and security properties. In the first quarter of 2023, Balochistan recorded a 96 per cent surge in violence, with deaths jumping to 178 from 91. Meanwhile, Sindh witnessed 47 per cent of surge in violence, despite the low death rates. The other regions of KP, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) witnessed a decrease in violence by 24 per cent, 85 per cent, and 65 per cent, respectively. Although GB experienced less violence, on 31 March, GB home minister issued a terror threat alert presuming attacks from the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The alert was followed by the recent attack on the Chinese nationals who were working on the Dasu Dam project.
In the first three months of 2024, the security forces suffered over 65 per cent in 200 terror attacks, and terrorists suffered 35 per cent in around 48 counter-terror operations. The civilians being the primary victims of violence suffered 36 per cent. Dawn further reported that comparing the last quarter of 2023, the deaths of civilians together rose by 17 per cent, whereas the deaths of outlaws, militants, and insurgents combined decreased by almost 15 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. There was a significant increase in the deaths of insurgents by 215 per cent and a decrease of 33 per cent in militant’s death. Traditionally active terror groups such as Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), Lashkar-i-Islami (LI), and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LeJ) have stopped claiming responsibilities for any attacks in the first quarter of this year. “Only the TTP and the militant Islamic State group, or Daesh, have claimed responsibility for some attacks,” added Dawn. Although TTP claimed responsibility for only three attacks, nevertheless the recent attack that killed seven security officials on 16 March, in north Waziristan remains unclaimed. Dawn reported: “Balochistan Liberation Army, Baloch Liberation Front, Baloch Raaji Ajoi Sangar, and Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, claimed responsibility for 18 attacks in the first quarter, causing 42 fatalities and 40 injuries. The prime targets of the insurgent groups were the security and government installations, including Gwadar Port Complex, Mach Jail, and Turbat Naval Base.” (Ikram Junaidi, “Balochistan, KP dominate violence landscape in first quarter: CRSS,” Dawn, 01 April 2024)
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