An Overview
The overall security situation of the country showed a mixed trend during the reporting month. The provinces of Punjab, Sindh except Karachi and the federal capital remained peaceful as there were fewer attacks reported in these areas during the month.  On the other hand, the security situation in militancy and insurgency hit areas of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan (FATA) and Balochistan remained volatile. This month a total of 171 terrorist attacks were reported countrywide which claimed 192 lives and 558 injuries. (See Chart 1) Out of 171 reported attacks, 64 occurred in NWFP killing 113 people and injuring 392; while 41 attacks were recorded in FATA that killed 37 people and injured 46 others.  In Balochistan 56 insurgent attacks were reported that caused 27 death casualties and 85 injuries. Meanwhile, in Punjab and Karachi 2 and 4 terrorist attacks occurred respectively killing 5 people and injuring 11 others.  The other areas of the country remained more or less calm and peaceful.

Chart 1: Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan in September 2009

If a comparison of last six months data is carried out with the figures collected in September 2009, a visible decrease in the number of attacks and death casualties is observable which is due to the successful military strategy of the security forces in these areas and the weakening grip of the militants. (See Chart 3) The number of injuries has slightly gone up most of which comprise of the civilians injured in the two deadly suicide attacks in Bannu and Peshawar. Out of 888 injuries reported this month 571 are of the civilians.

Chart 3: Comparison with Last Six Months’ Figures

The militants continue to suffer the most number of casualties for the fifth consecutive month due to the fresh military offensive of the security forces in Khyber, North and South Waziristan Agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan (FATA) and few parts of NWFP. This month the militants suffered 576 death casualties and 170 injuries followed by the civilians who suffered 205 lives and 571 injuries during the reporting month. In the terrorist attacks and their clashes with the militants the security forces lost 56 personnel while 147 others were injured.  (See Table 4, 4a)

Table 4a: Distribution of Casualties (September 09)

Among a variety of tactics employed by the militants throughout the month, the most widely used tactic was direct shootout/firing as 35 incidents of firing were reported during the month; while the second most common tactic was bomb blasts as 29 incidents of bomb blasts were recorded. The third most frequently used tactic was rocket attacks with 26 reported incidents, while 17 incidents each of hand grenade and improvised explosive devices were also reported.  (See Table 5)