Pakistan Faces Surge in Terrorist Attacks as BLA Escalates Violence

In August 2024, Pakistan witnessed 59 terrorist attacks, up from 38 the previous month, resulting in 84 deaths and 166 injuries. Most attacks were in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with the Balochistan Liberation Army responsible for significant violence. Security forces conducted 12 anti-militant operations, killing 88 militants.

In a troubling rise in violence, Pakistan experienced 59 terrorist attacks in August 2024, a significant increase from 38 the previous month, resulting in 84 deaths and 166 injuries, media reports said Tuesday.

August's attacks bring the year's total to 325, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think-tank. The hardest-hit regions were Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 29 attacks and Balochistan with 28, the latter seeing extensive violence from the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on August 26, targeting security forces and non-Baloch individuals.

Since 2006, 17,846 terrorist incidents in Pakistan have claimed 24,373 lives, PIPS data revealed. The report stresses the urgency of addressing the BLA's growing capabilities and grievances to prevent further escalation and suggests initiatives to create political and social opportunities for the Baloch people.

(With inputs from agencies.)