Violence across Pakistan subsided during the current week in comparison to the previous two weeks. As data collected through different sources suggests that 107 persons lost their lives in 60 episodes of violence, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and tribal regions. During the violent clashes 51 people also got injured across the country. (See data sheet) In total 60 violent attacks were reported during the week in different areas of the country.

During the course of the week nine military vs. militants– clashes resulted in the killing of 36 militants, while one security person also got killed. As a whole, 48 militants were killed in different circumstances. Meanwhile, 52 civilians also perished during different episodes of violence and the major loss of civilian lives was recorded in the form of recovery of dead bodies in Khyber Agency (FATA). As in Khyber Agency a fierce battle for control is under way between Lashkar-i-Islam militants and pro-government tribal lashkar (force), backed by the security forces. Unlike the past week, when the scores of militants were killed in CIA operated drone attacks, no such strike was reported during the week. CIA operated drones struck thrice and killed 33 militants in different parts of North and South Waziristan. Furthermore, militants fighting against state and security forces in KP and tribal region continued their fierce sabotage campaign to demolish state infrastructure and blew up nine schools in different areas.

As in case of previous two weeks, during the current week, again ongoing military operations against militants in KP and FATA resulted in the majority of causalities. Figures in the above chart depict that almost one third of the total dead persons during the week were killed as a result of frequent clashes between militants and security forces, especially in KP and FATA regions.

Mapping the territory of violence, one finds that target killing was the instrument of choice for the militants to inflict violence and 25 persons, including 16 civilians, lost their lives in 18 of such incidents (see pie chart). Bomb blasts emerged as the second major tactic of the militants during the week and 17 bomb blasts were reported in a week span and again mostly in KP and FATA regions. A suicide blast targeting senior police official in Peshawar was also the dominant feature of the week, in which superintendent police (SP), Kalam Khan (a symbol of resistance against militants) was killed.

In sum, though the number of violent episodes swelled (last week it were 55) during the week, yet the number of persons perished, decreased considerably (last week 215 were killed). Meanwhile, data shows that 504 persons lost their lives during past three weeks as a result of 195 violent incidents in Pakistan. Most of those dead were militants and civilians, and ongoing military operations were the major cause of deaths.

Sources

1. The News
2. Dawn
3. The Express Tribune
4. Pakistan Today
5. Daily Times
6. Dateline Islamabad
7. The Frontier Post
8. Jang (Urdu)
9. Daily Mashriq (Urdu)
10. Aaj (Urdu)