The year 2023 witnessed an unprecedented surge in various forms of violence, breaking records compared to previous years and creating the security situation more complex and multi-dimensional. Although Balochistan and KP remained the main focus of violence, Punjab and Sindh also experienced two major incidents of terror attacks at the sensitive security installations. Gilgit Baltistan was not spared, experiencing a surge in violence resulting in the highest casualties since 2014. Additionally, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) saw its first terror attack in four years.
The security forces' counter violence operations remained formidable against the onslaught of outlaws for various reasons. Across the country, jihadi militants conducted a staggering 540 attacks, while Baloch insurgents carried out 38, resulting in the tragic loss of nearly 1,000 lives. Among the victims, 502 were security personnel, and 481 were civilians. Alarmingly, 42 civilian fatalities were not the intended targets but happened to be present at the locations of suicide attacks or explosions.
Suicide attacks emerged as a significant contributor, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the total fatalities resulting from terror incidents. The number of suicide attacks skyrocketed to 31, averaging 2.5 attacks per month, compared to the 12 attacks recorded in the previous year. All these incidents occurred primarily in the provinces of KP and Balochistan. The TTP and its splinter groups claimed the majority of these suicide attacks (8), followed by Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan - TJP (3), a newly emerged militant group believed to be affiliated with TTP. Additionally, Daish (Islamic State) claimed responsibility for one attack, while a female suicide bomber affiliated with BLA carried out another suicide attack.
A new trend of collaborative attacks has emerged this year, reflecting a coalition between Jihadi militants and insurgents. TJP gained prominence following a devastating attack in Bolan district, Balochistan, on March 6, 2023, for which Daish (Islamic State Khorasan) also claimed responsibility. Another significant incident occurred with a suicide attack on a Frontier Corps camp in Muslim Bagh, Killa Saifullah, on March 13, 2023, claimed by TJP alone.
'Resurgence Of PTI:' Perception Vs. Fact The escalating terrorism menace has significantly strained Pakistan's relationship with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan held the Taliban responsible for harboring TTP and other militants, urging them to take necessary actions.
However, the clearance operation by the security forces revealed another aspect of this attack. The recovery of a body, identified as that of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) commander Asmi, alias Wafa, from the incident site marked the first instance of Baloch insurgents collaborating with Jihadi militants. This validated earlier reports of their alliance with TTP, as TJP is suspected to be an affiliate of TTP.Top of Form
In a press briefing, Sarfaraz Bugti, the former Interior Minister, revealed that out of 24 suicide attacks, 14 were carried out by Afghan nationals. This disclosure raised alarm, indicating not only the involvement of Pakistani militants sheltering in Afghanistan in orchestrating terror operations within the country, but also the participation of Afghan nationals. This reflects a reciprocation of the support Pakistani militants provided to the Afghan Taliban during their conflict with US and Afghan forces.
However, a lingering question remains: who perpetrated the remaining 10 suicide attacks if not Afghan nationals? With a total of 31 reported suicide attacks this year, this question deepens, suggesting the involvement of local terrorists who are readily available to execute instructions from militants. Beyond this deduction, Bugti's official statement underscores how the government's policy of appeasement towards the Taliban and lax border control have created conditions conducive to militants executing their plans within the country.
The escalating terrorism menace has significantly strained Pakistan's relationship with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan held the Taliban responsible for harboring TTP and other militants, urging them to take necessary actions. Frustrated with the lack of cooperation, Pakistan took two decisive measures: requesting illegal Afghan refugees to leave and explicitly telling the Afghan Taliban to choose between Pakistan and the TTP. However, these actions elicited harsh criticism from the Afghan Taliban, who denied harboring militants and accused Pakistan of scapegoating them.
2024 Elections Significant For Both Democracy And Progress The Afghan media raised doubts about Pakistan's commitment to tackling the terrorism menace, emphasizing the persistent existence of breeding grounds for extremism within the country. Despite disagreeing with the Afghan press attempt to shift blame from the Afghan Taliban to Pakistan, it is undeniable that numerous non-state actors covertly or overtly support the TTP agenda in the country.
The KP government released a report identifying 777 individuals engaged in terrorism financing within the country. A report issued by the TTP claimed that a recently formed militant faction, under the leadership of Omar Malang Kundi from Tank District, has joined their ranks. It was also reported that over 40 groups have aligned with the TTP since 2020, underscoring the underlying factors contributing to the significant surge in terrorism in the country pointing to the local collaborators with the militants who enjoy full support of the Afghan Taliban.
The local support to militants comes in different forms and shapes. On ideological front, they are supported by some religious figures in the country. In April, a team from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) conducted a raid on a mosque in Mardan, leading to a confrontation in which a wanted militant, identified as Maulana Jawad, was neutralized, and a police constable lost his life.
In June, Maulana Abdul Aziz from Lal Masjid resisted his arrest, engaging in gunfire with the police and causing an injury to one officer. Subsequently, his wife released a video appealing for assistance from the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Coincidentally, the sectarian violence has escalated significantly this year exhibiting both violent and non-violent aspects. A total of 38 violent attacks were recorded, with multiple motivations including targeting security personnel based on their religious background. These attacks resulted in 597 casualties (202 fatalities and 395 injuries), marking the highest incidence of sectarian violence since 2013. Notably, a suicide attack at a mosque in the Police lines of Peshawar claimed the lives of 84 Sunni police officials.
Innocent Baloch Children, Women Being Killed On Both Sides In Pakistan-Iran Conflict: Dr Mahrang Baloch These incidents underscore Pakistan's entanglement in a complex web of extremist militancy, posing a significant challenge for finding an easy resolution.
In separate incidents in Quetta, three Shia policemen were fatally shot. Additionally, two suicide attacks during Eid Milad-un-Nabi processions in Hangu and Mastung resulted in the deaths of 65 individuals (5 policemen and 60 civilians). These attacks were not only sectarian but also considered blasphemous, falling under PPC295 for the desecration of a religious place (mosque), PPC295A for outraging the feelings of any class, and PPC296 for disturbing religious gatherings.
Apart from fatal sectarian attacks, the country witnessed 193 non-fatal incidents reported from various regions where 60 religious sites belonging to non-Muslim communities were desecrated. Among these targets were 36 Ahmadi worship places, 22 churches, 2 Hindu temples, and one Sikh Gurdwara.
As the TTP and other militant factions intensify their assaults to undermine the country's security apparatus, a sudden surge in sectarian violence appears to have an aim to instill fear and uncertainty among all communities in Pakistani society.
These incidents underscore Pakistan's entanglement in a complex web of extremist militancy, posing a significant challenge for finding an easy resolution. Recently, a senior Pakistani official revealed that Pakistan had to withdraw from a deal with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) due to the group's ambitions to control parts of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The official stressed that ceding territory to terrorists was not a viable option. Pakistan had previously permitted their entry into the country with the expectation of peaceful coexistence, a decision now facing scrutiny with calls to hold those responsible for facilitating militants accountable for the significant harm inflicted upon the nation.
Amidst the persistent wave of militancy in the country, Pakistan seems to have only two choices now: either embrace the terms set by the TTP or strategically outmaneuver them by resolutely countering all manifestations of violence—both physical and ideological—without hesitation.Top of Form
Sheikh Rashid Faces Defeat In Both NA-56, NA-57
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