Terrorism has been on the rise in the two provinces of the country for the past two years. Despite the courageous actions and sacrifices of the Pakistani forces, serious incidents of terrorism are the norm of the day.  

On Sunday, 18 soldiers were martyred during a security operation against terrorists in Kalat, while during the last two days, 23 terrorists were killed during an operation by the Pakistan Army against terrorists in Kalat and in Harnai. According to the Pakistan Army’s Public Relations Department, terrorists tried to block a road in the Mangochar area of Kalat district, which was foiled and 12 terrorists were killed, while 18 Balochistan FC soldiers were also martyred while fighting the terrorists.  According to the ISPR, 11 terrorists were killed during an effective operation against terrorists in Harnai.  The outlawed BLA has claimed responsibility for the attack on the forces in Kalat. Army Chief General Asim Munir reached Balochistan and attended the funeral prayers of the martyrs of the Pakistan Army and got first-hand knowledge of the situation.  He expressed his belief that no matter what the terrorists do, they will definitely be defeated.  

The Army Chief’s sincere commitment to ending terrorism and the sacrifices of the soldiers are undoubtedly very valuable, however, along with counter-terrorism operations, an impartial review of the reasons for the failure of terrorism to end in the context of the prevailing situation is also an indispensable need of the time.  Last year was the worst year in the last decade in terms of terrorism.  According to the Center for Research and Security Studies, a total of 444 terrorist attacks took place in the country this year, in which at least 685 members of the security forces lost their lives.  A total of 1,612 civilians and security personnel were martyred in these incidents, while 934 militants were also killed.  The total number of deaths recorded this year is the highest in the last nine years and is more than 66% more than in 2023.  The most damage due to violence occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 1,616 people were killed, while 782 people were killed in Balochistan.  According to the above-mentioned report, a total of 2,546 people were killed in hundreds of incidents of violence in the country in 2024, including civilians, security forces and militants belonging to different groups.

 All these deaths occurred during terrorist attacks or a total of 1,166 counter-terrorism operations. Despite the vigorous military operations against terrorism, there is no sign of a decrease in terrorist incidents this year after last year.  According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, militant attacks increased by 42 percent in January compared to December. 120 people were killed in 74 militant attacks across the country, including 52 security personnel, 20 civilians and 48 militants.  The reason for this is apparently that only counter-terrorism is being focused on dealing with the problem, and there is no specific arrangement to identify and address the causes of terrorism.  For this purpose, if the government formulates an effective and feasible strategy according to the situation and implements it, then fruitful progress can be expected. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase in terrorist activities in recent months, posing a major threat to national security, economic stability, and regional peace.  The resurgence of militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan has raised concerns among security agencies and policymakers. This rising tide of terrorism is being linked to various factors, including the resurgence of militant organizations, external interference, and internal instability.  Various terrorist groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch separatists, and ISIS-Khorasan (IS-KP), are actively planning attacks across the country.  Over the past year, Pakistan has witnessed an alarming increase in terrorist incidents, including attacks targeting security forces, civilians, and infrastructure.  According to intelligence reports, suicide attacks, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, and armed attacks have increased significantly, especially in border areas.  Several high-profile attacks in recent months have highlighted the seriousness of the situation.  

In January 2024, a suicide bombing in Peshawar killed more than 100 people after targeting a mosque in a high-security police compound. Similarly, militants in Balochistan have attacked security convoys and energy installations. The attackers have become increasingly skilled at spreading fear and recruiting new members through modern weapons, drones, and cyber propaganda. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, remains the most dangerous militant organization in the country. After retreating as a result of military operations such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, the group was able to regroup in Afghanistan after the Afghan Taliban took power in August 2021. Despite assurances from the Afghan Taliban that they would not allow their territory to be used against Pakistan, the TTP has continued to carry out cross-border attacks.  The group has a long history of targeting security forces, government installations, and civilians, and recent attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal districts are evidence of its resurgence. The TTP’s comeback has been fueled by the release of its prisoners, ideological support for hardliners, and external financial support. Militant groups operating in Balochistan, such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), have stepped up their activities against the Pakistani state.  These groups claim to be fighting for Balochistan’s independence and have targeted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), security forces, and local authorities.  In a deadly attack in February 2024, Baloch militants targeted a security checkpoint in Gwadar, which is located at a key location on CPEC.  Pakistan has maintained that India’s intelligence agency RAW is destabilizing the region by backing these groups. ISIS-Khorasan (IS-KP), a regional affiliate of ISIS, has also expanded its presence in Pakistan. The group has carried out terrorism and deadly bombings, particularly based on religious differences.   

According to Pakistani intelligence agencies, India is promoting terrorism through Baloch separatists and TTP factions. Intelligence agencies have presented evidence of India’s support for Baloch separatists and TTP.  The arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in 2016 further strengthened Pakistan’s claims that India is involved in subversive activities.  Some analysts say that world powers are protecting their strategic interests by keeping Pakistan unstable.  By weakening Pakistan, the enemy can use Pakistan as a buffer zone against the growing influence of China, especially in the context of the CPEC project.  The growing wave of terrorism in Pakistan is a serious national security issue that requires a comprehensive strategy. As long as militant groups such as the TTP, Baloch separatists and ISIS-Khorasan are active, their operations will continue to be further complicated by external support and insecure borders.