Year-ender: Timeline of major terror attacks that rocked Pakistan in 2023

Pakistan remained a theatre of terrorism and violence in the entire outgoing year amid internal political conflicts, socioeconomic disparities, regional instability and rising tensions with the militant groups operating in border areas adjacent to Afghanistan.

Despite rendering matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism, Pakistan witnessed a spike in terror attacks during the outgoing year — 2023 — with outlawed groups remaining resilient and active amid cross-border infiltration of hostile elements from neighbouring countries, especially Afghanistan.

As the country reeled from the terror wave, August 2023 remained the deadliest month in almost nine years. The nation suffered 99 attacks claiming 112 lives in the month, making it the highest tally for monthly strikes since November 2014, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a nonprofit think tank.

With over 400 law enforcement personnel losing their lives, the security forces have experienced their highest casualties in eight years. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the terrorism hotspots in the outgoing year.

In addition to this, Pakistan experienced a disturbing surge in suicide attacks, reaching the highest level since 2014, per PICSS data.

According to the data, a staggering 29 suicide attacks were reported this year, resulting in the tragic loss of 329 lives and leaving 582 individuals injured so far. This marks the highest death toll since 2014 when 683 people lost their lives in 47 suicide bombings.

In the outgoing year, the security forces eliminated as many as 566 terrorists and arrested over 5,000 militants in 18,736 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the country.

In the line of duty, more than 260 officers and soldieries of the Pakistan Army laid down their lives. At least 750 people lost their lives in the terror attacks in 2023, according to a data shared by APP.

79% surge in terror attacks

Terror activities in the country soared by 79% during the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year.

The report voiced alarm, stating that at least 271 militant attacks took place during the last 6 months, resulting in the loss of 389 lives and injuring 656 individuals.

These figures represent a staggering 79% increase in militant attacks during the first half of this year compared to the corresponding period last year.

Pakistani security forces have also stepped up their response against terrorism and killed at least 236 militants across the country while 295 suspected militants were also arrested during the first six months of 2023.

Several security personnel embraced martyrdom in June 2023.

Month-wise details of the terror attacks suffered by the country are as under:     

January  

With 134 people losing their lives in at least 44 militant attacks across the country, January remained one of the deadliest months.

On January 19, a blast in Lahore's New Anarkali Bazaar area left at least two people dead and 26 others injured, police and health officials said.

In another incident, at least 18 people were injured after a remote-controlled bomb exploded on a railway track in Bolan, derailing the train’s engine and seven carriages.

A devastating suicide bombing at a crowded mosque in the Police Lines compound in Peshawar claimed over 100 lives on January 30.

According to police, the explosion occurred in the central hall of the mosque at 1 PM, causing the roof to come crashing down upon those who were offering Zuhr prayers at the time.

The security officials said that the suicide attacker was present in the front row of the worshippers behind the imam during the prayer when he exploded himself. Sahibzada Noor Ul Amin, Imam of the mosque, was also martyred in the blast, police said.

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) took responsibility for the attack.

February  

As per the statistics released by the think tank, terrorists carried out 58 attacks —including three suicide attacks — in February 2023, in which 62 people were killed, including 27 civilians and 18 security personnel. At least 17 militants were also killed in shootouts with the security forces.

The upward trajectory of terrorist attacks continued in February too as the country reported a 32% surge in terror attacks as compared to the previous month, however, the number of causalities declined by 56%.

In this month, the country suffered three suicide attacks in which nine people were killed and 37 sustained injuries.

March

March saw 39 militant attacks which led to 58 deaths and 73 injuries. The country suffered heavy losses in the war against terror in this month. On March 21, a brigadier among five security personnel was martyred in separate attacks in South Waziristan and Dera Ismail Khan.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Brig Mustafa Kamal Barki from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), while leading the encounter from the front, embraced martyrdom in South Waziristan.

A suicide bomber rammed a motorcycle into a police truck in Sibbi, a city some 160 km (100 miles) east of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, killing nine policemen and injuring 15 more.

April 

The country witnessed a slight increase in the number of terror attacks in April. There were 48 terror attacks, which resulted in 68 deaths and 55 injuries, according to the statistics.

The security forces responded by increasing their operations against militant groups killing at least 41 militants and arresting 40 others.

“KP remained the most affected province, with 49% of the total attacks reported during the month. In KP, the militants carried out 33 attacks which led to 45 deaths, including 23 security forces personnel, 17 militants, and five civilians. 32 people were injured, including 17 personnel of security forces and 10 civilians.

Within KP, 19 militant attacks were reported from the mainland province, while 14 were reported in tribal districts of KP (former Fata),“ read the report.

A suicide bomber on a motorcycle blew himself up, killing three soldiers, as militants attacked a temporary military camp in northwest Pakistan.

The attack, for which no group claimed responsibility, occurred in the district of Lakki Marwat, near a rugged tribal area bordering Afghanistan which has long been home to Islamist militants.

May 

Statistics also showed the country saw a minor drop in militant attacks in May as 40 terror attacks in the month claimed 48 lives and wounded 102 people. The security forces, which continued their operations across the country killed at least 64 militants and arrested 39 others.

The tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the most affected with 18 terror attacks that killed 18 people and injured 27 others. The rest of the province faced 10 attacks that killed 16 people.

KP suffered four suicide attacks in the month.

June 

On June 11, the armed forces gunned down three terrorists while four others were injured in a gunbattle in the general Miran Shah area in North Waziristan district.

The military's media wing stated that the soldiers fought gallantly but three of them were martyred in the intense exchange of fire that took place on the night between June 9 and 10 (Friday and Saturday).

"Own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly three terrorists were sent to hell, while four terrorists were injured. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists," a statement released by the ISPR read.

In another incident, two soldiers of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom while two terrorists were killed in a gunbattle in the tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) tribal district.

July 

With terrorism rearing its head yet again in the country, July marked a significant upsurge in attacks, making it the second deadliest month of 2023, with 124 fatalities and 218 injuries.

The country witnessed 54 militant attacks this month. At least 77 civilians and 37 security forces personnel lost their lives, while 181 civilians and 36 security forces personnel sustained injuries.

However, 10 militants were also killed during their actions, and security forces successfully neutralised 12 terrorists while apprehending 46 others, thwarting numerous future attacks.

Comparing the data with the previous month, June 2023, the PICSS report reveals an alarming increase in terrorist activities.

There was a 15% rise in terror attacks, a substantial 381% increase in civilian deaths, and a 131% increase in security forces' fatalities. Furthermore, civilian injuries witnessed a drastic 583% rise, and security forces personnel endured a 64% increase in injuries during the same period.

In one of the deadliest attacks in the month, as many as four soldiers were martyred and five critically injured after terrorists launched a "dastardly attack" on the Pakistan Army's Zhob Garrison in Northern Balochistan.

In the wee hours of July 12, a group of terrorists launched a dastardly attack on the garrison, the ISPR said, mentioning that the initial attempt to sneak into the facility was "checked by soldiers on duty".

Upon interception, a heavy exchange of fire took place between the terrorists and soldiers, with the militants being "contained into a small area at the boundary".

August 

A sharp increase in militant attacks across the country was recorded in August with 99 terror attacks.

This, according to the report, is the highest number recorded in any single month since November 2014. These attacks have resulted in 112 deaths and 87 injuries, mostly targeting security forces personnel and civilians.

The data stated an 83% rise in August when compared with July, as the month saw 54 attacks. The report also mentioned four suicide attacks, three in tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and one in mainland KP.

The data also shows that security forces responded effectively to the militant threat, averting many attacks killing at least 24 militants, and arresting 69 others in various operations across the country.

The data showed that Balochistan and erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) were the most affected regions by militant violence in August, compared to the previous month. Balochistan witnessed a 65% increase in militant attacks, from 17 in July to 28 in August, while erstwhile FATA witnessed a 106% increase, from 18 in July to 37 in August. However, both regions also saw a decrease in fatalities, by 19% and 29% respectively.

This month, militants attacked a military convoy near the strategic southwestern port of Gwadar in the country's mineral-rich province of Balochistan while it was escorting a delegation of Chinese nationals to a construction project.

September 

According to data, civilian deaths in militant attacks rose to 87% in September as compared to the previous month.

As per the details, 136 civilians, military and law enforcement agencies personnel lost their lives, while 144 were injured in 65 terror attacks in the month.

The number of terror attacks, however, declined by 34% as compared to the past month. Despite a decline in number of attacks, September remained the worst month in terms of causalities since March 2015.   

On September 29, suicide bombings ripped through two mosques in the country, killing at least 57 people, including seven children, as believers marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

In the first blast, in Balochistan’s Mastung, the bomber detonated his explosives near a police vehicle where people were gathering for a procession.

At least 52 people were killed, according to district health officials, including children aged nine to 11. At least 58 people were injured.

The second attack, in neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killed five people at a mosque, according to rescue officials. 

October 

In October, Pakistan experienced a decrease in terror attacks, with 47 incidents resulting in 51 deaths and 47 injuries, according to the data issued by the PICSS.

The violence has primarily concentrated in KP and Balochistan. Security forces responded with intensified operations, resulting in 52 militant deaths and 27 apprehensions in 34 notable actions nationwide.

On October 19, as many as six terrorists were killed and four soldiers were martyred during two operations in separate tribal districts, a statement issued by the ISPR said.

The fierce encounters between the terrorists and security forces took place on the night between October 18 and 19 in North and South Waziristan districts, the military's media wing said in a statement.

November 

The country suffered 63 militant attacks in November, resulting in 83 deaths, including 37 security personnel. Pakistan reported a 34% increase in terror attacks in this month as compared to the previous month.

As per the available data, 89 people sustained injuries, including 36 security forces personnel. In this month, the security forces eliminated at least 59 terrorists and arrested 8 suspected militants.

During the past 11 months, Pakistan suffered 599 militant attacks, resulting in 897 fatalities and 1,241 injuries.

Security forces eliminated nine militants in a clearance operation after a terrorist attack on Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) Mianwali Training Air Base was thwarted in a swift response by the troops.

On November 4, the air base was targeted by militants, however, the security forces foiled the attack and launched an operation to eliminate any potential threat in the surroundings.

"Alhumdolliah, the combing and clearance operation at PAF Training Airbase Mianwali has been concluded and all nine terrorists have been sent to hell," said the military's media wing.

"No damage has been done to any of the PAF’s functional operational assets, while only some damage was done to three already phased-out non-operational aircraft during the attack," added the statement.

ISPR further said that the prompt and professional conclusion of the operation serves as a stark reminder to all enemies of peace that PAF remains vigilant and is fully capable of defending the homeland from any threat.

In another incident, at least 14 soldiers were martyred when terrorists attacked two vehicles carrying security forces in Gwadar.

December 

In December, Pakistan witnessed a surge in militant attacks, particularly a deadly assault on security forces in Dera Ismail Khan. The country experienced at least five militant attacks, including suicide bombings, grenade attacks, and targeted killings.

In response, security forces intensified operations, resulting in the killing of over 26 suspected militants and the apprehension of 19 others.

On December 12, at least 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom as a group of six terrorists attacked the security forces post in Dera Ismail Khan's Daraban area in the early hours.

The military’s media wing said that the attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the post, followed by a suicide bombing attack.

“The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple causalities; 23 brave soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom), while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell,” the ISPR stated.

The ISPR said heightened activities in the KP's district were witnessed on the night of December 11 and 12, wherein a total of 27 terrorists were sent to hell during various operations.

The outgoing year witnessed an alarming rise in terror-related incidents in the country in general and in KP in particular, as over 470 security personnel and civilians were killed in the province alone. 

To eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country, the government needs to revamp its strategy in consultation with all the stakeholders as Pakistan’s armed forces together with the resilient nation can surmount every challenge and thwart the evil designs.