After a relative respite of two weeks, the wave of violence once again picked up across the country. Sectarian, criminal and ethno-political violence in Karachi —which started during the last week of March continued unabated for the sixth consecutive week, —whereby the total death toll during the last one and half month has reached 152. Almost 125 of the total dead were the result of ethno-political violence in the city. The data collected through different sources suggests that 136 people lost their lives in 45 incidents of violence across the country during the reported week (for details see data sheet). Unlike past weeks, when Karachi witnessed several violent acts and killings — during the current week , the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) experienced a renewed surge in violence. In the said region, a whopping 108 deaths were recorded, including 18 of Pakistan Army soldiers, who were killed in North Waziristan Agency. The violent clashes also left 128 people injured across the country, down from last week 160.

Once again, the civilians paid the maximum price of the ongoing spate of violence in the country. Civilians topped the list of all casualties with 67 percent; some 60 civilians were killed and 117 others were wounded in different incidents of violence across the country. Meanwhile military vs. militants– clashes in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and FATA region resulted in 55 deaths, while during last week it were only 17. Furthermore a CIA operated drone struck in Shawal valley, North Waziristan Agency (FATA) killing eight suspected militants and injuring three others. The sabotage campaign launched by the militants to disrupt state infrastructure continues in KP and FATA, and three more schools were blown up in different areas of KP and FATA region during the week in focus.

Two sectarian attacks were also reported during the week, resulting in the killing of one Shia Muslim of the ethnic Hazara community in Balochistan. Another nine sustained injuries in these attacks. A suicide attack carried out by a teenager belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Bajaur Agency (FATA) left 29 people dead including five levies (tribal police) personnel. During the reporting week, fatalities due to target killings dropped to 16 percent as against last week 31 percent of the total death toll. But the magnitude of target killing continues to top the chart indicating that the target killing remains the weapon of choice in the hands of violent actors to inflict violence (as depicted in pie chart below). The pie chart shows that 46 percent of the total violent attacks were of target killing. Furthermore, out of 21 incidents of target killings —63 percent took place in Karachi alone, and left 11 people dead, including a policeman, and wounded four others. Contrary to the past few weeks militants– casualties as a result of the ongoing military operation against militants in KP and FATA region surged considerably from last week 17 to 55 this week, and was responsible for 41 percent of the total death toll. Meanwhile, 21 security forces– personnel were also killed during the week and 18 of these were slaughtered in the militancy hub, North Waziristan Agency (FATA).

Meanwhile, ten dead bodies, including those of two soldiers, were also recovered from different areas of Karachi, Balochistan and FATA. Overall a sudden surge in violence was recorded during the week. The death toll increased (nearly doubled) from last week 77 to 136 this week. The number of violent incidents, however, dropped to 46 against last week 65. A concise look into the trends and territory of violence suggests that violence is once again returning to the familiar terrains that is KP and FATA, after rocking Karachi and Balochistan in the past two weeks. It also underlines that the conflict between militants and military is rapidly taking the turn for the worst. The recovery of beheaded dead bodies of Pakistan Army soldiers and brazen attack on a military convoy in North Waziristan Agency are the cases in point.

Against this backdrop of huge losses of military men within a span of one week, there are media reports that military brass in Pakistan is pondering options to go after militants in the area. It is noteworthy that the US has been demanding since 2009 to crackdown on Pakistani and Afghan militants, particularly those reportedly sheltering Al Qaeda operatives, in North Waziristan Agency. American intelligence officials believe that North Waziristan is home to thousands of hard core militants operating freely across Pak-Afghan border. And the latest brutal attacks against Pakistan military succinctly verify the American claims. Also, the launch of military operation in North Waziristan Agency can remove a major hitch between USA and Pakistan, at a time when relations between both the states are in steep slope.

Sources

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