By Farman Ullah
Pakistan is once again facing a severe challenge of terrorism. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are standing shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army against the enemy. Enemies are launching attacks from all sides with their agendas. The Pakistan Army is sacrificing lives, and young men are shedding their blood.
In this difficult time, the nation is putting aside all differences and is in the field for the security of the country. In the Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces foiled a terrorist attack, killing 10 terrorists. According to sources, security forces foiled a terrorist attack on a Pakistan Army post in the Jandola area of Tank.
Security sources said that the Pakistan Army took prompt action and killed 10 terrorists. Security sources said that the suicide bomber blew himself up near the post, and the attack was similar to the one in Bannu. It is clear that in recent years, there has been a rapid increase in terrorist incidents across the country.
Four days ago (March 11), the outlawed BLA attacked the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, taking passengers hostage. The armed men fired rockets at the engine and opened fire, causing the train to stop. Authorities said the train driver was seriously injured, and there was an exchange of heavy gunfire between security personnel and the attackers.
After the attack, a security forces operation lasted for two days, and the previous day, Director General of the Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said that the hostages on the Jaffar Express were rescued, and all 33 terrorists were killed. However, before the operation began, the enemy had already martyred 21 people.
Under the leadership of Army Chief General Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army performed outstanding services for the country in 2024, conducting 59,775 successful operations against terrorists, killing 925 terrorists, including Khawarij. Security sources said that due to the state’s clear policy towards Khawarij and terrorists, significant successes were achieved in operations this year.
Security sources said that during 2024, security forces and law enforcement agencies conducted 59,775 successful intelligence-based operations against terrorists and their facilitators. During these operations, 925 terrorists, including Khawarij, were killed, and hundreds were arrested. To combat terrorism, the Pakistan Army, intelligence agencies, police, and other law enforcement agencies are conducting over 169 operations daily.
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) think tank released its annual security report for 2024, highlighting the key findings. According to the report, in 2024, the country witnessed a significant increase in violent incidents, resulting in 2,546 deaths and 2,267 injuries, including civilians, security personnel, and terrorists.
The report states that the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan increased by 66% in 2024, resulting in 2,546 deaths. The report also highlights the growing threat of terrorism in the country, with the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 being a significant factor.
The report notes that the majority of terrorist attacks in Pakistan are concentrated in the northwestern region, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The region has witnessed a significant increase in terrorist attacks, with the number of incidents rising by 49% in 2024.
The CRSS report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy to counter terrorism in Pakistan. The report notes that the country needs to adopt a holistic approach to address the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.
The report also highlights the importance of regional cooperation in countering terrorism. The report notes that Pakistan needs to work closely with its regional partners, including Afghanistan, Iran, and China, to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to counter terrorism.
The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan and the subsequent rescue operation by the security forces have highlighted the growing threat of terrorism in the region. The CRSS report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy to counter terrorism in Pakistan, including addressing the root causes of terrorism and regional cooperation.