2023 concludes with 69% surge in militant attacks

• 974 people were killed in 641 militant attacks, PICSS data shows.
• 74% increase in security forces' action against militants recorded.
• Since 2020, consistent increase has been observed every year.

ISLAMABAD: The year 2023 in Pakistan was marred by an unprecedented surge in terrorism as the country witnessed an alarming 69% increase in attacks, resulting in an 81% increase in deaths and leaving 60% of victims injured, The News reported Monday. 

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, data recorded in the past year showed at least 641 militant attacks in which 974 people were killed and 1,351 wounded. Meanwhile, 380 militant attacks in 2022 killed 539 and injured 836.

Had Pakistan's security forces not successfully foiled hundreds of attacks and attempts by terrorists, the situation could have been worse. The PICSS, overall, estimated a 74% increase in security forces' action against militants during which they executed 600 and arrested at least 625.

By combining militant attacks and security forces actions, the country saw over 1,000 violent incidents in which 1,511 people were killed and 1,440 injured. As far as the militant attacks are concerned, the PICSS database shows that the average militant attacks per month rose from 32 in 2022 to 53 attacks per month in 2023 which is the highest monthly average in any year after 2015. There was a consistent decline in militant attacks from 2015 to 2019.

The average number of militant attacks per month had dropped to just 13 attacks per month. However, from 2020 onwards a consistent increase has been observed every year.

During the year 2023, militant attacks not only increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its tribal districts but also in Balochistan and Punjab. KP witnessed the 419 militant attacks in which 620 people were killed including 306 security forces personnel, 222 civilians, and 92 militants while 977 were injured including 525 security forces personnel, 402 civilians, and 50 militants.

More violence was recorded from mainland KP — an increase of 84% in militant attacks — than the Newly Merged Districts (erstwhile FATA). It witnessed 235 militant attacks in which 336 people were killed including 213 security forces personnel, 67 civilians, and 56 militants while 589 were injured including 383 security forces personnel, 163 civilians and 43 militants.

Meanwhile, FATA saw 184 militant attacks in which 284 people were killed — including 155 civilians, 93 security forces personnel, and 36 militants — while 388 including 239 civilians, 142 security forces personnel, and seven militants were injured. The region witnessed a 59% rise in militant attacks in 2023 compared with 2022.

According to the PICSS Annual Security Report, Balochistan faced at least 170 militant attacks in which 285 people were killed including 151 civilians, 114 security forces personnel, and 20 militants while 388 people were injured including 195 civilians, 99 security forces personnel, and four militants. The rise in militant attacks in Balochistan was 65% in 2023 compared with 2022.