Basis of comparison: Terrorism dwindled in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from January to June

49 firing incidents took place, while three suicide attacks were reported in current year

PESHAWAR: There has been a considerable decrease in incidents of terrorism from January to June in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. IED attacks and firing incidents have also dwindled during this period.

This was said by the counter-terrorism department (CTD) additional IGP while addressing a meeting of police officials at the Central Police Office on Tuesday. According to a handout issued on the same day, the meeting was chaired by IGP Nasir Khan Durrani. The moot was held to review efforts taken to combat terrorism.



During the year, there were 99 terrorism incidents, whereas the number of terrorism incidents reported in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 281, 292 and 134, respectively.  “This revealed a significant decrease of 65% in number of incidents in 2016 as compared to 2013 and a decrease of 26% as compared to 2015,” the document quoted the additional IGP as saying.

Modus operandi

As per the handout, terrorists and miscreants have been adopting various methods to carry out attacks, including IED attacks, vehicle-borne IED attacks, suicide attacks, vehicle-borne suicide attacks, hand grenades, missile and rocket attacks and firing. “However, the method used most frequently include either planting an IED or resorting to firing,” the document cited the additional IGP as saying.

Decreasing numbers

According to the handout, IED attacks have drastically decreased in the current year. At least 36 IED attacks took place this year, whereas the number of IED attacks reported in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 183, 143 and 53 respectively. The overall decrease in IED attacks has been 80% in 2016 as compared to the 2013 and 38% as compared to the year 2015.

The handout added no vehicle-borne IED attacks took place in 2015 and 2016.

During the current year, three suicide attacks took place, whereas the number of suicide attacks reported in 2013, 2014 and 2015 stand at 13, eight and three, respectively. In addition, no vehicle-borne suicide, missile and rocket attacks have been reported in 2016.

In the first six months of the year, 49 firing incidents took place, whereas the number of firing attacks reported in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 57, 79 and 47, respectively.

This year, 11 hand grenade attacks took place, whereas the number of hand grenade attacks reported in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 14, 46 and 26, respectively.

Commendable feats

The additional IGP drew attention to CTD’s performance, saying 534 cases of terrorism had been traced so far. In these cases, 924 militants were arrested. Furthermore, 97 proclaimed offenders involved in terrorism cases were also arrested.

The additional IGP also explained the strategy adopted to counter militancy and implementation of the National Action Plan. The offensive measures include search and strike operations, snap checking and crackdown on militants.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2016.