In August 2024, Pakistan witnessed a significant increase in terrorist activity, with 59 attacks recorded nationwide, up from 38 in the previous month. The incidents included 29 attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 28 in Balochistan, and two in Punjab, resulting in 84 deaths and 166 injuries, according to data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank.
Balochistan faced 28 terrorist incidents during the month, leading to 57 deaths and injuries to 84 others. The majority of these casualties were linked to a series of attacks orchestrated by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on August 26, targeting security forces, non-Baloch individuals (mainly Punjabis), and national infrastructure across seven districts in the province.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced 29 terrorist attacks, resulting in 25 fatalities and 80 injuries. These attacks were attributed to banned groups such as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-i-Islam, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), and several local Taliban factions.
Meanwhile, two attacks were reported in Punjab, which resulted in injuries to two civilians and the death of two attackers. Security forces and the counterterrorism departments (CTDs) conducted 12 anti-militant operations across the country in August, an increase from 11 in July. These operations led to the killing of 88 militants, while 15 army soldiers and three policemen lost their lives.
Of the 28 attacks recorded in Balochistan, 26 were carried out by the banned BLA, including a series of coordinated assaults on August 26, which coincided with the anniversary of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti’s death. The group has intensified its activities, executing high-impact attacks and using female suicide bombers.
The PIPS monthly security report highlighted the BLA’s growing capabilities, noting the use of sophisticated weaponry, including vehicle-borne explosives. The group has also adopted new tactics, such as targeting Punjabis by checking identity cards on highways, a move that could further strain relations between Balochistan and the central government.
Positioning itself as a defender of Baloch rights, the BLA exploits grievances over enforced disappearances and resource exploitation. As disillusionment with the political process grows among the Baloch people, the group may gain further support.
The report stressed the need for the government to create political and social opportunities for the Baloch people to counter the influence of militant groups. It also called for an urgent investigation into the BLA’s sources of training, weapons, and funding. Additionally, the report recommended that Pakistan engage constructively with Afghanistan and Iran to develop a joint counterterrorism and border security strategy.
