ISLAMABAD: The number of militant attacks increased significantly in August despite sustained counter-terrorism pressure, but the human impact of militant attacks declined compared with July.
According to monthly data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, 199 militant attacks were recorded in August, compared with 144 in July, representing an increase of 38 percent.
PICSS data showed that the 199 militant attacks recorded during August resulted in 158 deaths and 181 injuries, compared with 268 deaths and 216 injuries in 144 attacks during July. Deaths resulting from militant attacks therefore declined by 41 percent, while injuries declined by 16 percent.
Security forces continued counter-militancy operations during August, resulting in 211 deaths, including 203 militants. The operations also resulted in 21 militants injured and 26 suspected militants arrested. Security forces killed 115 militants in Balochistan, 56 in mainland KP and 32 in the merged districts during August.
The institute recorded three suicide attacks during August, including two vehicle-borne suicide attacks. This represented a substantial decline from July, when eight suicide attacks, including five vehicle-borne suicide attacks, were recorded. July witnessed the highest number of suicide attacks recorded in a single month during the past decade.
Kidnapping incidents declined by 36 percent, falling from 66 in July to 42 in August.
PICSS said the security situation remained most severe in Balochistan, where the number of militant attacks increased from 83 in July to 89 in August, representing an increase of seven percent. Deaths resulting from militant attacks in the province declined from 162 in July to 76 in August, while injuries declined from 86 to 47. Security forces’ actions in Balochistan resulted in 118 deaths, including 115 militants, compared with 192 deaths, including 189 militants, during security forces’ actions in July.
According to PICSS, mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 militant attacks in August compared with 36 in July, representing an increase of 50 percent. Deaths resulting from militant attacks declined from 69 in July to 44 in August, while injuries declined from 96 to 70, representing a decrease of 27 percent. Security forces’ actions in the province resulted in 60 deaths, including 56 militants, compared with 85 deaths, including 80 militants, during July.
The merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formerly known as FATA, recorded 52 militant attacks in August compared with 23 in July, representing an increase of 126 percent. Deaths resulting from militant attacks declined slightly from 36 to 34, while injuries increased from 33 to 59. Security forces’ actions resulted in 33 deaths, including 32 militants, compared with 43 deaths, including 41 militants, during July.
In terms of attack typology, tactical assaults (TA) emerged as the most frequently used tactic during August, with 47 incidents, followed by target killings with 46 and IED attacks with 36. Tactical assaults resulted in 40 deaths and 44 injuries, while target killings caused 50 deaths and 23 injuries. IED attacks resulted in 15 deaths and 50 injuries.
In Punjab, PICSS recorded two militant attacks resulting in three deaths and five injuries. Security forces conducted two notable operations in the province and arrested five suspected militants. Sindh recorded two militant attacks in August in which one person was killed, while security forces conducted two operations and arrested two suspected militants. Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed no militant attacks during August.
