Islamabad:
Despite increased military tensions with India in May, Pakistan witnessed only a marginal uptick in rebel, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based independent think tank.
The monthly security assessment issued by PICS’s registered 85 terrorist attacks across the country in May – lights higher than April’s figures of 81. These incidents resulted in 113 fatalities, including 52 security forces staff, 46 civilians, 11 terrorists and four members of the Peace Committee. The number of wounded increased to 182 with 130 civilians, 47 security staff, four terrorists and a peace committee member among the wounded.
The figures represent a five percent increase in terrorist attacks compared to April. Of particular concern, the 73 percent increase in fatal accidents was among security personnel as well as a dramatic increase of 145 percent in civilian injuries – from 53 in April to 130 in May. Conversely, injuries among the security staff dropped by 20 percent.
Security operations during the month resulted in deaths of 59 terrorists, while five security personnel lost their lives in the duty line. Seven security staff and five terrorists were injured in these operations, which also led to the arrest of 52 terrorists. The month marked the first time since October 2024 that terrorist deaths were registered in double digits (65), a significant decrease from the 203 rebel deaths reported in April.
KP, Balochistan suffered the worst of the violence
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) continued to bear violence of violence and explain 82 of the 85 reported attacks.
Balochistan remained the most unstable region with 35 terrorist attacks, resulting in 51 deaths – including 30 civilians, 18 security staff and three extremists. Hundreds of people were injured, 94 of whom were civilians. Militants also abducted nine people in the province. Among the most tragic events was an explosion that targeted an army public school bus in Khuzdar, who claimed the lives of eight children (mostly girls) and two employees, while injured 35 others.
In the merged tribal districts in KP, 22 attacks led to 45 fatalities, including 23 security staff, 12 civilians, six rebels and four members of the Peace Committee. The region also saw 58 injuries, including 30 security staff.
Read more: Indian sponsored terrorists attack Surab Market in Balochistan
Mainland KP (excluding the tribal districts) witnessed 25 rebel attacks, resulting in 14 deaths, including 10 security staff and two each of civilians and terrorists. Twenty -four people were injured.
In Sindh, three attacks were recorded, causing the death of two civilians and a security officer.
No terrorist attacks were reported in Punjab, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) or Gilgit-Baltistan. However, Punjab recorded the highest number of arrests in which 39 suspected radical elements detained during intelligence -based operations. In AJK, an attack in Rawalakot led to the killing of four alleged rebels who are said to be affiliated with Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan.
