Islamabad: Pakistan witnessed a sharp rise in terrorism-related violence in May, with the number of attacks increasing by 27 per cent compared to the previous
month, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The monthly security assessment, released on Monday, said militant groups regained momentum after a brief decline in activity, highlighting persistent security challenges across the country. According to the report, Pakistan recorded 128 terrorist attacks in May, up from 101 attacks in April. The violence claimed the lives of 71 civilians, 68 security personnel and six members of peace committees, while 185 others were injured. Also Read: Pakistan Economy Stares at Major Crisis With Petrol at PKR 380, Inflation Shoots 300% The report noted a particularly steep rise in civilian casualties. Civilian deaths jumped from 37 in April to 71 in May, marking a 92 per cent increase. Fatalities among security personnel also surged from 28 to 68, representing a 143 per cent rise. PICSS also flagged a worrying resurgence of suicide attacks. Pakistan witnessed six suicide bombings in May, including four vehicle-borne attacks. These incidents alone killed 34 security personnel and nine civilians. In comparison, only one suicide attack was reported in each of March and April, indicating a significant escalation in the use of such tactics by militant groups, the report said. Balochistan remained the worst-affected region during the month. The province recorded 71 terrorist attacks, more than double the 34 attacks reported in April, reflecting a 109 per cent increase. The deteriorating security situation was also evident in a spike in kidnappings. Of the 54 abductions reported nationwide in May, 52 took place in Balochistan, according to the assessment. Despite the surge in violence, Pakistani security forces intensified counterterrorism operations across the country. PICSS data showed that security forces killed 270 militants and arrested 15 others during May. Among those killed, 128 militants were eliminated in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), 62 in mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 71 in Balochistan and one in Punjab province, the report added. (With inputs from PTI)
