Terror reigns in across K-P in 2024

A 20.7 per cent increase was observed in cases of terrorism reported over the past one year

PESHAWAR:

As soon as the current government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assumed power, it promised to improve the law-and-order situation in the province by eliminating the threat of terrorism and promoting economic activities as their first priority. However, in spite of the tall claims, terrorism continued to remain a menacing challenge for the law enforcement agencies, who failed to protect the peace of the land.

According to data obtained from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for 2024, the majority of terrorist attacks were carried out in the southern districts of the province including Dera Ismail Khan, Lucky Marwat, Bannu, Tank, Kohat, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Khyber, Bajaur and Peshawar. A 20.7 per cent increase was observed in cases of terrorism, which rose from 530 incidents in 2023 to a total of 640 incidents this year, with the highest number, around 300, reported from Dera Ismail Khan, the hometown of the Chief Minister.

Sources of The Express Tribune from within the CTD K-P revealed that the police had nearly abandoned the practice of patrolling the police stations after sunset in the southern districts, where terrorist activities against both civilians and armed personnel were on the rise. Out of all the incidents, 355 incidents involved firing and target killing by terrorists, 113 involved the use of improvised explosive devices (IED) against security forces, political figures, officials, police, and other government institutions while six others were suicide attacks. The heinous incidents claimed the lives of 275 people including 142 police personnel and 133 civilians while 214 police officers and 246 civilians were injured in the activities of the militants.

Commenting on the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the province and tribal areas, Dr Khurram Iqbal, an expert in security affairs and a PhD in Counter-Terrorism and Security from Australia, while talking to The Express Tribune, believed that the tug of war between the federal and provincial governments had destabilized the maintenance of peace in the southern districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

“In 2024, terrorism once again observed a regrettable surge as a direct consequence of the failed governance system in the province. The PTI and federal government neglected security in the province in favour of a larger political agenda, whereby the politicization of terrorism instigated confusion among the law enforcement agencies. This entailed serious strategic consequences whilst affecting the operational capabilities of these forces,” said Dr Iqbal.

Dr Iqbal further opined that in order to deal with the problem of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)'s cross-border sanctuaries, both the federal and provincial governments must take a united stand vis a vis Afghanistan for ensuring lasting peace.

“This year, a suicide attack targeted Chinese citizens travelling in a bus in the Malakand district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. While the targeting of foreign convoys remains a major form of terrorism, attacks on police with thermal technology in Peshawar, Khyber, DI Khan and southern districts also complicates the maintenance of law-and-order for the police,” claimed Dr Iqbal.

On the other hand, Peshawar Police Chief Capital Police Officer (CCPO) Qasim Ali Khan felt that although the security threat was still prevalent, CTD and the police were trying their best. “The network involved in the Peshawar police line blast was busted this year while major target killers and suspects involved in terrorism were also arrested,” assured Khan, who believed that with the use of technology the province could overcome the challenge of terrorism in a better way.

Reportedly, the provincial government has given a special grant of Rs3 billion to the police to purchase modern equipment, bullet-proof vehicles and arms to fight terrorism. However, far from decreasing, terrorist activity has only increased in K-P.

According to CTD data, 739 terrorists were arrested this year, including 29 who were on the most wanted list. Moreover, the police and other law enforcement agencies conducted 2,981 intelligence-based operations during which 246 terrorists were killed.