Within a month: Terrorism cases surge in K-P
Police official says increase suggests militants have regrouped in Afghanistan
A file photo of security forces in Peshawar. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
The province has witnessed a spike in terrorism activity in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in April as compared to March. At least 37 cases of terrorism were recorded or foiled in April as compared to 27 cases that surfaced a month ago.
At least 14 districts of the province witnessed terrorism in April. As per data obtained by The Express Tribune, Peshawar remains on the top of this list with 14 cases. This was followed with four cases in Swat.
A month earlier, Bannu remained on top of the list as eight terrorist incidents were reported. This was followed by Peshawar district with seven cases while Mardan trailed at third position with four cases.
However, in April, Peshawar witnessed a sharp increase in terrorism activities. There were two IED attacks in Peshawar, three hand grenade attacks, three incidents of target killing, while six terrorist attacks were foiled too.
In March, there were two target killings in Peshawar, one IED attack and four terrorism bids were foiled. In addition, a suicide attack took place in Mardan in April. Meanwhile, in March, a suicide attack took place in Charsadda.
Target killing remained the most widespread means for militants. At least 14 people have fallen victim to target killing across K-P in April. Police have also foiled 14 terror bids and seized explosives and arrested the culprits.
Worrying sign
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a police official said there was a surge in terrorist activities across the province. According to the officials, this served as welcome proof that terrorists had regrouped in Afghanistan and it was a worrying sign as Afghanistan was a “no-go area for security forces as well as the police”.
“We can chase them in the settled districts,” he said. “Security forces could help us get them. We are successful in eliminating this menace but have not been able to completely eliminate them.”
“Target killing is a big problem and, coupled with extortion, it could be ranked among the top terrorism related problems,” the official said, “Suicide bombers are also being dispatched and we need to crack down on local networks that remain intact.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2016.
The province has witnessed a spike in terrorism activity in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in April as compared to March. At least 37 cases of terrorism were recorded or foiled in April as compared to 27 cases that surfaced a month ago.
At least 14 districts of the province witnessed terrorism in April. As per data obtained by The Express Tribune, Peshawar remains on the top of this list with 14 cases. This was followed with four cases in Swat.
A month earlier, Bannu remained on top of the list as eight terrorist incidents were reported. This was followed by Peshawar district with seven cases while Mardan trailed at third position with four cases.
However, in April, Peshawar witnessed a sharp increase in terrorism activities. There were two IED attacks in Peshawar, three hand grenade attacks, three incidents of target killing, while six terrorist attacks were foiled too.
In March, there were two target killings in Peshawar, one IED attack and four terrorism bids were foiled. In addition, a suicide attack took place in Mardan in April. Meanwhile, in March, a suicide attack took place in Charsadda.
Target killing remained the most widespread means for militants. At least 14 people have fallen victim to target killing across K-P in April. Police have also foiled 14 terror bids and seized explosives and arrested the culprits.
Worrying sign
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a police official said there was a surge in terrorist activities across the province. According to the officials, this served as welcome proof that terrorists had regrouped in Afghanistan and it was a worrying sign as Afghanistan was a “no-go area for security forces as well as the police”.
“We can chase them in the settled districts,” he said. “Security forces could help us get them. We are successful in eliminating this menace but have not been able to completely eliminate them.”
“Target killing is a big problem and, coupled with extortion, it could be ranked among the top terrorism related problems,” the official said, “Suicide bombers are also being dispatched and we need to crack down on local networks that remain intact.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2016.