According to quarterly security assessment report of Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, a marked reduction in overall violence in the country has been observed during first quarter of 2015 (January-March) as compared to previous quarter (October-December 2014), which is a direct outcome of military operations (Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan, Operation Khyber-I and Khyber-II in Khyber Agency) as well as measures adopted under National Action Plan post Peshawar School Attacks.
PICSS statistics noted that the country witnessed 544 incidents related to anti-state violence by militants and counter-insurgency operations by the state in which 944 people were killed while 619 others were injured. Security forces arrested 1,646 suspected militants while 49 people were kidnapped by the militants. Among the given 544 overall incidents, there were 312 security forces actions while 232 were militant activities.
While militant activities in other regions were continuously on the decrease, Balochistan continued to simmer as there had been no letup in violent militant activities in the province. This quarter has witnessed change in militants’ tactics as they have adopted a new strategy of targeting national installations and infrastructure (gas, electricity, etc). The province witnessed 115 militant activities in which 92 people were killed while 84 others were injured. 45 people were kidnapped by the militants.
According to PICSS, 46 militant activities were observed in FATA during this quarter in which 104 people were killed while 92 others were injured. As compared to last quarter of 2014, there has been marked decrease in number of militant activities as well as resultant deaths/injuries suggesting that military operations in the region have seriously dented militants’ capabilities to carry out their militant activities and they are continuously on the run. This quarter has also witnessed start of Operation Khyber-II in Khyber Agency by the security forces to weed out militants from the area particularly those pockets on Pakistan-Afghan border that militants were using to move to and from Afghanistan.
Continuing with the previous trend, security situation in KP has substantially improved as noted by PICSS quarterly report. During this quarter, 29 militant activities were reported in the province in which 51 people were killed while 86 others were injured. The province seems to be direct beneficiary of military operations in FATA particularly those conducted in adjoining Khyber Agency.
Despite fear of blow back in Punjab of military operations, security situation in the province remained under controlled though sporadic incidents of significant nature continued to surface. The province witnessed 10 violent activities in which 43 people were killed while 137 civilians were injured.
Security forces have tried to tightened noose around militants of various nature in Sindh as the province witnessed 31 militant activities in which 95 people were killed while 115 others were injured. Security forces have come open against militants having patronage of political parties. Security situation in the province is likely to improve in days to come. According to PICSS quarterly security assessment report, security situation in AJ&K remained stable as no militant activity was observed in this autonomous region. However, IslamabadCapitalTerritory and Gilgit Baltistan witnessed some incidents without ringing any alarm bells.
