Pakistan's Surge in Terror Attacks: A Grim August 2024

Pakistan experienced a dramatic rise in terrorist activities in August 2024, with 59 attacks resulting in 84 deaths and 166 injuries. Primarily concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the violence included attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

In August 2024, Pakistan saw a dramatic increase in terrorist activities, according to a report by Dawn. The country experienced 59 attacks, a sharp rise from 38 in July. This surge led to 84 fatalities and injuries to 166, as noted by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think-tank.

The majority of the violence occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with 29 and 28 incidents respectively. Punjab recorded two attacks during this period. Particularly in Balochistan, 28 incidents caused 57 deaths and injured 84. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was responsible for a significant portion of the violence, launching a coordinated assault on August 26 that targeted security forces, non-Baloch civilians, and national infrastructure across seven districts.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced 29 attacks, claiming 25 lives and wounding 80. The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-i-Islam, and Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) were among the groups responsible. Punjab saw two attacks, injuring two civilians and killing two attackers. In response, Pakistani security forces conducted 12 anti-militant operations in August, killing 88 militants but also losing 15 soldiers and three police officers.

(With inputs from agencies.)