According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, (PICSS) the month of August this year has been the most violent in Balochistan in the past six years.
PICSS, a think tank based in Islamabad has stated in a report that there has been a ‘dangerous increase’ in anti-state violence in Pakistan during August, making it the most violent month in the past six years, with Balochistan reporting the highest number of fatalities.
According to the report released on Monday by the PICSS, at least 254 people were killed across Pakistan in August, including 92 civilians, 54 security personnel, and 108 militants. In addition, 150 people were injured in violent incidents, including 88 civilians, 35 security personnel, and 27 militants.
Most of these fatalities resulted from 83 militant attacks in Pakistan, in which 175 people were killed, including 92 civilians, 47 security personnel, and 36 militants, while 123 people were injured, including 88 civilians and 35 security personnel. August was declared the deadliest month since July 2018.
During this month, 79 people were killed in security operations, including 72 militants and seven security personnel, while 27 militants were injured, the report stated.
Security forces also arrested 12 suspected militants, while militants kidnapped at least nine individuals, including a serving Lieutenant Colonel and an Assistant Commissioner.
PICSS noted in its report that ‘the most significant increase in violence was observed in Balochistan.’
Due to militant attacks in Balochistan, 125 deaths were recorded, including 80 civilians, 22 security personnel, and 23 militants. This report was released a week after coordinated militant attacks in multiple districts of Balochistan on August 25, which resulted in the deaths of over 50 people.
The report stated that ‘there were 49 violent incidents in Balochistan in August, compared to only 13 in July.’ In contrast, the security situation improved in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where violent incidents decreased by 25%, and civilian casualties decreased by 43%. However, militant fatalities increased by 98%.
According to the report, 65 militants were killed in August compared to 20 in July. However, security forces also suffered a 54% increase in casualties, with 20 personnel killed in August compared to 13 in July 2024.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 24 violent incidents were reported in August, compared to 42 in July. There was also improvement in Sindh, where only two violent incidents were reported in August compared to nine in July, while only one violent incident occurred in Punjab, in which two militants were killed, and two security personnel were injured.
According to PICSS, militants carried out 640 attacks across Pakistan in the past eight months, resulting in 757 deaths and 733 injuries. This marks a 51% increase in militant attacks and a 21% increase in fatalities compared to the same period in 2023, while the number of injured decreased by 24%.