December 2024 marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s fight against militancy, with security forces killing 190 militants during the month- 152 in proactive counterterrorism operations and 38 during retaliatory actions against militant attacks.
According to a report issued by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) here on Wednesday, this was the highest monthly militant death toll since August 2015, contributing to a total of 950 militant fatalities in 2024, the deadliest year for militants since 2016.
Drop in Militant Attacks: PICSS reported 52 militant-initiated attacks in December 2024, the lowest number recorded in any month of the year.
These attacks resulted in 98 fatalities, including 40 security personnel, 18 civilians, two pro-government Razakars, and 38 militants. In addition, 106 individuals were injured, including 92 security personnel, 11 civilians, and three militants.
Compared to November, militant attacks dropped by 27%, fatalities decreased by 25%, and injuries declined by 47%. The year-end decline contrasts with the overall surge in militancy in 2024, which saw a 40% increase in militant attacks compared to 2023, with 908 incidents recorded nationwide.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): The Most Affected Region: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the epicenter of militant violence in December, reporting 31 militant-initiated attacks that caused 81 deaths and 94 injuries.
Within KP, 18 attacks in the settled districts resulted in 23 deaths and 26 injuries, while 13 attacks in the newly merged tribal districts (erstwhile FATA) caused 58 deaths and 68 injuries. The province accounted for 60% of December’s total militant attacks, 83% of deaths, and 80% of injuries.
However, security gains were evident, with KP experiencing a 38% drop in attacks, 40% fewer fatalities, and 50% fewer injuries compared to November.
For the entire year, KP faced 567 militant attacks resulting in 705 deaths and 681 injuries, marking a 34% increase in attacks and a 14% rise in fatalities compared to 2023.
Balochistan Sees Improvement in December: Balochistan reported 19 militant attacks in December, resulting in 12 deaths and 21 injuries- a sharp decline from November’s 20 attacks, 60 deaths, and 135 injuries.
It is worth noting that Federal Apex Committee of National Action Plan had approved a comprehensive operation against militants in Balochistan on November 19, 2024.
Since then many areas of the province witnessed targeted operations by the Pakistani security forces. Despite these monthly improvements, the province saw a 72% rise in militant activity in 2024 compared to 2023.
Punjab, Sindh, and Other Regions: Punjab recorded one militant attack in December, resulting in four deaths and two injuries. In total, the province witnessed 21 attacks in 2024, marking a 50% rise from 2023, with 20 fatalities and 19 injuries.
Sindh reported one attack in December, causing one death. The province experienced an overall improvement in 2024, with 25 militant incidents compared to 35 in 2023.
No militant activity was reported from Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, or Islamabad in December, reflecting improved security in these regions.
Security Operations Intensified: Proactive counterterrorism efforts by Pakistani security forces in December resulted in 152 militants being killed in targeted operations.
Additionally, 38 militants were killed during retaliatory responses to militant-initiated attacks. The combined efforts led to the highest militant losses in a single month since 2015, underscoring the increased intensity of counterterrorism operations.