Slight increase in number of militant attacks in January 2017: PICSS Report

First month of 2017 saw slight rise in number of militant attacks and resultant deaths in Pakistan. According to monthly security report by an Islamabad-based independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), 41 militant attacks were reported across the country in which 47 people were killed and 175 were injured. 34 militant attacks were reported in December 2016 in which only 21 people were killed and 44 were injured.deadliest month of each year. If that trend continues then 2017 should see further decline in militant attacks. Average militant attacks per month has already dropped below 2007. Sudden rise in number of deaths in January is because of blast at fruit and vegetable market Para Chinar, Kurram Agency, FATA that killed 25 people and injured 87 other. In January 2017, security forces lost 11 personnel while 38 were injured. Civilians remained the most affected category of militant attacks as 35 out of 47 killed and 137 out of 175 injured were civilians.According to PICSS report, It is observed during last three years that January remains report states that highest number of militant attacks were again reported from Balochistan but highest number of deaths were reported from FATA due to Para China blast. Overall, 18 militant attacks killed 12 and injured 38 in Balochistan, seven attacks in FATA killed 27 and injured 109, seven attacks in KPK killed only two people and injured 22, only one militant attack of minor nature was reported from Punjab in which two people were injured, six people wPICSS ere killed and four injured in eight militant attacks in Sindh during January 2017.

Security forces conducted at least 50 actions against militants in which 22 suspected militants were killed and 359 arrested. Highest number of arrests were made from KPK where 199 suspects were arrested followed by Punjab where 70 suspects put behind bars. Punjab also saw highest number of militants killed as ten suspected militants were gunned downed in the province during the month. Seven militants were killed in Balochistan, three in Sindh and two in KPK.

In only security forces action in Gilgit, security forces busted a racket of a new militant outfit Balawaristan National Front and arrestedsted 12 of its members. Police claimed that the suspects wanted to target CPEC related projects on behest of Indian intelligence agency RAW.

It is also observed that militants from across the border from Afghanistan has been trying to mount heavy attacks in Mohmand and Khyber Agencies of FATA. At least two such attacks involving high number of militant attacks were repulsed by Pakistani security forces.

If compared with January 2016, the month saw significant improvement in security situation, as there were high profile attacks in first month of the last year including attack on Bacha Khan University, suicide attacks on polio workers in Quetta, suicide attack on Khasadar Force in Khyber Agency, and some other attacks.