Seeming no end: No let-up in violent incidents in July

Some 572 death, 642 injuries reported from across the country in the month.

ISLAMABAD:

There was no let-up in incidents of violence across the country during the month of July. Casualties remained high with 572 deaths and 642 injuries, revealed the Centre for Research and Security Studies in its monthly report.

New trends regarding military operations and drone attacks were also observed. The report further stated that sporadic cases of people’s resistance to violence and terrorism were also reported from some areas, though a large number of Peace Lashkar members in tribal areas lost their lives to presumed target killings.

The report also mentioned the Dera Ismail Khan jailbreak, blaming ‘inside informants’ for the ‘disgraceful retreats by state forces’ stating that it raised serious questions over the preparedness of Pakistan’s security forces.

The highest number of deaths were reported from Karachi, followed by Kurram Agency. Unusual violent incidents took place in Punjab also, which has so far been largely peaceful.



Civilians, militants, government officials (soldiers, frontier constabulary, levies, and police), politicians (activists and supporters) and members of pro-government peace lashkars became the main victims in acts of violence across the country in the previous month.

Target killings accounted for most number of deaths. Over 70% of the victims belonged to Sindh, followed by Balochistan 16%, K-P 9% and FATA 4%. With the exception of one incident of target killing in Sukkur, all victims were from Karachi in Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2013.