Pakistan witnesses 40pc surge in militant attacks in 2024

By Tahir Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan experienced a 40 per cent surge in militant attacks in 2024 compared to the previous year, recording 905 incidents that resulted in 1,177 deaths and 1,292 injuries, according to statistics released by the Islamabad-based think tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The data revealed a 21 per cent rise in fatalities and a 5 per cent decline in injuries from militant attacks in 2024 compared to 2023.

Among the 1,177 deaths reported in militant attacks, 488 were civilians, 461 were security forces personnel, and 225 were militants. The injured included 692 civilians, 589 security forces personnel, and 11 militants.

Security Forces’ Operations

In counter-militancy operations, Pakistani security forces killed 792 individuals, comprising 725 militants, 66 security personnel, and one civilian.

Additionally, 171 people were injured in these actions, including 131 militants, 37 security personnel, and three civilians. Security forces also arrested 223 suspected militants and their handlers.

Also read: Seven security personnel martyred in North Waziristan militant attacks

The data highlights a decisive shift in security forces’ tactics, with a 51 per cent increase in militant fatalities (725 in 2024 compared to 479 in 2023) and a 65 per cent drop in arrests (223 in 2024 compared to 640 in 2023).

Combined Statistics

Combined fatalities from militant attacks and security forces operations in 2024 amounted to 1,969, including 950 militants, 527 security forces personnel, 489 civilians, and three pro-government armed Razakars (tribal militiamen). The total number of injured stood at 1,463, comprising 695 civilians, 626 security personnel, and 142 militants.

Civilian deaths accounted for 25 per cent of the total fatalities, while combatants made up the remaining 75 per cent. Among combatants, 48 per cent were militants and 27 per cent were security forces personnel.

Trends and Shifts

Despite the overall increase in militant activity, the number of suicide attacks dropped significantly to 17 in 2024 from 29 in 2023.

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) carried out the highest number of attacks, followed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, factions of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group were notably active in North Waziristan and surrounding districts, while Lashkar-e-Islam intensified its activities in Khyber.

In Balochistan, the banned Baloch Liberation Front emerged as the second most active group after the banned BLA, with other groups like the Baloch Nationalist Army showing limited activity.

Sindh saw low-intensity attacks by the Sindhu Desh Revolutionary Army.

A significant decline was seen in the activities of the Islamic State (Daes) in 2024.

Strategic Shift in Militancy

The year 2024 marked a notable shift in militant tactics, with groups attempting to hold territory temporarily in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

This strategy, including night patrols and temporary roadblocks, was adopted by both religiously motivated groups like the TTP and secular ethnic groups like the BLA, despite their differing ideologies and objectives.

Rising Intensity of Violence

The highest number of militant and security forces deaths since 2016 and 2014, respectively, underscores the heightened intensity of violence in Pakistan in 2024.