Islamabad:
Despite increased military tensions with India in May, Pakistan attended only a marginal increase in insurgent violence, according to data published by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an independent reflection group based in Islamabad.
The monthly security assessment published by Picss recorded 85 terrorist attacks across the country in May – slightly higher in April 81. These incidents led to 113 deaths, including 52 security forces, 46 civilians, 11 terrorists and four members of the peace committee. The number of wounded increased to 182, with 130 civilians, 47 members of security personnel, four terrorists and a member of the peace committee among the injured.
The figures represent an increase of five percent of terrorist attacks compared to April. The 73% increase in deaths among safety staff, as well as a spectacular increase of 145% of civil injuries, from 53 in April to 130 in May. Conversely, injuries among security personnel have dropped by 20%.
Safety operations during the month led to the death of 59 terrorists, while five members of security personnel lost their lives in the exercise of their functions. Seven security staff and five terrorists were injured in these operations, which also led to the arrest of 52 terrorists. The month has marked the first time since October 2024 that terrorist deaths were recorded two figures (65), a significant drop in the 203 insurgent deaths reported in April.
KP, Balutchistan has undergone the worst of violence
Balutchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) continued to bear the weight of violence, representing 82 of the 85 attacks.
Balutchistan remained the most volatile region with 35 terrorist attacks, resulting in 51 deaths, including 30 civilians, 18 security staff and three extremists. A hundred people were injured, 94 of whom were civilians. Activists also removed nine individuals in the province. Among the most tragic incidents, there was an explosion targeting a public school bus for the army in Khuzdar, which cost eight children (mainly girls) and two staff members, while injuring 35 others.
In the tribal districts merged from KP, 22 attacks led to 45 deaths, including 23 security staff, 12 civilians, six insurgents and four members of the peace committee. The region has also seen 58 injuries, including 30 safety staff.
Learn more: Terrorists sponsored by India attack the Surab market in Baloutchistan
The Continental KP (excluding tribal districts) witnessed 25 insurgents attacks, causing 14 deaths, including 10 safety staff and two civilians and terrorists. Twenty-four people were injured.
In the Sindh, three attacks were recorded, causing the death of two civilians and a security manager.
No terrorist attack was reported to Punjab, Azad Jammu and Cashmire (AJK), or Gilgit-Baltistan. However, the Punjab has recorded the greatest number of arrests, with 39 alleged radical elements held during operations based on intelligence. In Ajk, a raid in Rawalakot led to the murder of four alleged insurgents who would be affiliated with Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan.
