Security Situation in Balochistan Deteriorates in 2024; Terrorism Incidents See Significant Increase

Islamabad:Balochistan has witnessed a significant deterioration in its security situation throughout 2024, with a marked increase in terrorism-related incidents such as bomb blasts, target killings, and attacks on security forces. According to official statistics released by the government on Thursday, there has been a 17.84% rise in terrorism incidents in the province this year compared to 2023, with 271 lives lost and 590 people injured.

The report highlighted that 733 terrorism-related incidents have occurred so far in 2024, compared to 622 in 2023. The highest number of attacks took place in February, with 109 reported incidents, followed by 78 incidents in August, resulting in 88 fatalities and 100 injuries. In September, 46 such incidents were recorded.

**Breakdown of Attacks and Casualties**

– **Ethnic Attacks**: 17 attacks based on ethnic grounds, claiming 81 lives and injuring 13.
– **IED Explosions**: 45 IED (Improvised Explosive Device) explosions, resulting in 32 deaths and 122 injuries.
– **Police Attacks**: 31 attacks on police personnel, with 15 killed and 29 wounded.
– **FC (Frontier Corps) Attacks**: 115 attacks on FC personnel, resulting in 45 fatalities and 132 injuries.
– **Security Forces Attacks**: 24 attacks on various security forces, leading to 7 deaths and 25 injuries.
– **Pak Army Attacks**: 2 attacks on the Pakistan Army, resulting in 9 soldiers injured.
– **Coast Guard Attacks**: 2 attacks on the Coast Guard, with 1 injured.
– **Levies Forces Attacks**: 30 attacks on Levies, resulting in 8 deaths and 14 injuries.

**Other Key Statistics**
– **Bomb Blasts**: 15 bomb explosions claimed 1 life and injured 22 people.
– **Hand Grenade Attacks**: 111 hand grenade attacks resulted in 6 deaths and 73 injuries.
– **Landmine Explosions**: 5 incidents of landmine blasts resulted in 2 deaths and 9 injuries.
– **Anti-Personnel Mine Explosions**: 7 incidents, leading to 1 fatality and 3 injuries.
– **Rocket Attacks**: 25 rocket attacks resulted in 5 deaths and 7 injuries.
– **Gas Pipeline Blasts**: 3 explosions targeting gas pipelines.

**Civilians and Infrastructure Attacks**
– **Civilian Attacks**: 24 attacks on civilians, resulting in 35 deaths and 31 injuries.
– **Telecommunication Infrastructure**: 16 attacks on Ufone and PTCL towers, injuring 5 people.
– **Railway Attacks**: 2 incidents on railway tracks, resulting in 2 deaths.

**Major Incidents in November**
In November, Balochistan was rocked by two major bomb blasts at Quetta Railway Station and in Mastung, resulting in over 37 deaths and more than 90 injuries.

**Region-wise Breakdown**
– **A Area**: 387 terrorism-related incidents.
– **B Area**: 346 incidents reported.

The statistics paint a grim picture of the security situation in Balochistan, where both civilians and security forces have been targeted in increasing numbers. The government and law enforcement agencies continue to face significant challenges in curbing terrorism and ensuring peace in the province.