Terrorist attacks drop by 37pc in October: PICSS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan witnessed a significant improvement in several key security indicators during October, with terrorist attacks declining by 37 per cent compared with September, it emerged on Sunday. The improvement was particularly pronounced in Balochistan and mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while suicide attacks also declined substantially. However, an increase in kidnappings, particularly in Balochistan, remained a major area of concern. According to statistics released by the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country experienced 143 terrorist attacks during October, compared with 226 in September. The decline reversed two consecutive months of increasing terrorist violence and marked a notable improvement in the security situation following September’s heightened level of attacks.

Data showed that terrorist attacks claimed 111 lives in October, compared with 260 in September, representing a reduction of 57pc. The number of people injured in these attacks dropped even more sharply, from 242 to just 69, a decline of 71pc. The improvement was also reflected in the overall human cost of violence. According to PICSS, terrorist attacks and security forces’ counterterrorism operations collectively resulted in 272 deaths and 71 injuries during October. Those killed included 53 security forces personnel, five peace committee members, 45 civilians, and 169 terrorists. The injured included 29 security forces personnel, 11 peace committee members, and 31 civilians. A rolling 12-month comparison conducted by PICSS revealed several encouraging developments. Injuries resulting from terrorist attacks fell to their lowest monthly level in the past year. The combined number of injuries from terrorist attacks and security operations…