Pakistan experienced a 56% increase in violence in 2023, with 1,524 deaths nationwide in 789 attacks, compared to 980 fatalities in 2022, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies’ Annual Security Report for 2023 based in Islamabad.
There was a 55% rise in fatalities from violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and a 57% increase in Balochistan. KP and Balochistan provinces were the main centers of violence, accounting for over 90% of all fatalities and 84% of attacks (including terrorism and security operations) in 2023. Punjab and Sindh were relatively peaceful, together suffering only 8% of all fatalities last year.
2023 was the deadliest year for security forces in nearly a decade, as their fatalities rose for the third year in a row since 2021, totaling 500 in 2023.
According to the report, Pakistan endured 586 terror attacks this year, with only 17% claimed by banned groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Daish (Islamic State Khorasan) and others. Security forces conducted 197 operations against outlaws, leaving 537-545 of them dead.
Throughout 2023, Baloch insurgents and jihadi militants exhibited heightened activity, carrying out 101 terror attacks. Baloch insurgents claimed 32 attacks, with BLA as the most active group behind 24.
The rest were by others like Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and Balochistan Liberation Tigers (BLT). The Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) also claimed 3 attacks.
TTP claimed 49 attacks, plus 2 joint operations with Lashkar-e-Islami (LI), a new trend. The recently emerged Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) ranked second, claiming 6 solo attacks and 2 with Daish and BLA. Daish claimed 5 attacks, while Ansar al-Jihad (AaJ) claimed 1.
A major cause of more civilian and security deaths was the use of suicide bombers, the deadliest form of attack. There were 853 casualties from 31 suicide bombings (287 killed, 566 injured).
Security personnel suffered the most, with 19 attacks killing 150 and injuring 310. Civilians endured 10 attacks, with 135 deaths and 256 injuries.
Of 31 attacks, 25 occurred in KP and 6 in Balochistan. TTP and splinters claimed 8, TJP claimed 2, Daish 1, and TTP-Daish jointly claimed 1 in Balochistan.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) also claimed 1 by a female bomber, the 2nd such attack after last year’s at Karachi University.
Suicide attacks surged from 3 in 2020 to 6 in 2021 and 31 this year, a fourfold increase.
There was an alarming rise in sectarian violence in 2023. Terrorism targeting religious communities and places of worship killed 203, including 88 security personnel.
Among the victims, Sunni Muslims had the most fatalities, followed by Shia and Hazara Shias. Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Ismailis and others were also targeted solely for their religious identity.
January 1, 2023
Source: Centre for Research and Security Studies