Islamabad, March 2, 2023 (GNP): Militant attacks increased in February this year, but the casualties were lower than in January.
The most high-profile attack in February was carried out by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on the Karachi Police Headquarters.
According to data provided by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militants carried out 58 attacks over the previous month, resulting in 62 casualties, including 27 civilians, 18 members of the security forces, and 17 militants, and 134 injuries, including 54 civilians and 80 members of the security forces.
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The statistics revealed the nation suffered 58 attacks in a single month for the first time since June 2015. Since 32% more insurgent attacks were reported in February 2023 than in January 2023, the escalating momentum in anti-state violence continued. However, compared to January, there was a 56% lower death rate.
The Peshawar Police Line suicide attack caused most of the casualties in January.
“The number of suicide attacks also increased, but their impact was not as devastating as it was in January. In February 2023, three suicide attacks were reported in which nine people were killed and 37 were injured. In January, 106 people were killed and 216 injured in two suicide attacks,” according to the statement released on Wednesday.
In February, militant attacks on central KP significantly decreased but escalated in Balochistan and the former Fata (KP’s tribal districts). Attacks increased in Punjab and Sindh as well. The most well-known attack in February was a TTP assault on the Karachi Police Headquarters.
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At least 55 alleged militants were killed by Pakistani security forces in February as they intensified their operations against militant organizations. Authorities nationwide made at least 75 arrests of suspected militants. Most of the accused were taken into custody in Punjab and KP.
Statistics indicate Balochistan faced the highest number of militant attacks, where PICSS recorded at least 22 incidents that resulted in 25 deaths and 61 injuries.
Previously, 16 attacks against Fata resulted in 16 deaths and 39 injuries. There were 13 attacks on mainland KP, resulting in six deaths and eight injuries. Two people were dead and eight others were injured in four militant attacks in Punjab, while three reported militant attacks in Sindh resulted in 10 deaths and 18 injuries.
