High-profile attacks persist in June despite overall decline in terrorism: PICSS

Despite several high-profile attacks, Pakistan witnessed a decline in overall anti-state violence and related security incidents during June, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank. According to PICSS — an Islamabad-based think tank that monitors terrorism, anti-state violence and related security trends — 184 militants were killed in operations by Pakistani security forces, accounting for the largest share of the total 262 fatalities. On the other hand, 52 civilians and 26 security forces personnel lost their lives during the month. The breakdown of the injured showed that 63 civilians, 50 security forces personnel, 18 pro-government peace committee members and three terrorists were wounded. Compared with May, fatalities among Pakistani security forces declined by 62 per cent, while civilian deaths dropped by 27pc. Terrorist deaths also registered a 32pc decrease. Among the injured, PICSS recorded a 43pc decline in security forces casualties, a 57pc decrease among civilians and a 67pc reduction among terrorists. PICSS also noted a 50pc reduction in kidnappings, with 27 people kidnapped in June compared with 54 in May. Pakistani security forces also arrested at least 27 suspected terrorists during the month. The number of terrorist attacks also declined, falling from 128 in May to 108 in June, a reduction of around 16pc. However, PICSS noted, the country continued to face “high-impact attacks, including at least four suicide attacks”. Three of these were vehicle-borne suicide bombings, including the “high-profile attack” targeting Sindh Rangers in Karachi on June 27, which claimed the lives of three security personnel. In May, the country had witnessed six suicide attacks, including four vehicle-borne suicide bombings. Province-wise breakdown Providing a province-wise breakdown for June, PICSS observed that Balochistan witnessed a “significant decline” in terrorism. The province recorded 49 attack