Pakistan remained in the grip of religious militancy, nationalist insurgency and sectarian-related terrorism during the month of January. There were reported 272 terrorist attacks (including Baloch insurgents’ attacks and sectarian-related attacks), 13 incidents of clashes between security forces and militants, 5 cross-border attacks inside Pakistani tribal areas, 8 inter-tribal clashes and one incident of ethno-political violence during the month across the country. Security forces also launched 34 operational attacks against militants, 15 in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies in FATA, and 19 in Swat, Bannu and Darra Adamkhel areas in NWFP. These terrorist and counter-terrorist attacks killed in total 628 people and injured 721 others (see Table 1). Among dead were 296 civilians, 256 militants and 76 security forces’ personnel whereas 360 civilians, 121 militants and 240 security forces’ personnel were also injured (see Table 2).

Sixty six (66) insurgent and 5 sectarian-related terrorist attacks killed 39 and injured another 121 people in Balochistan. The nationalist insurgents continued targeting security forces, state installations including trains, railways tracks and gas pipelines, pro-government tribal elders and non-Baloch settlers (Punjabis). The religious militants remained active against Hazara (Shia) community mostly in Quetta and Sibi areas. The insurgent groups announced to end their self proclaimed ceasefire.

In FATA, 40 terrorist attacks killed 39 people and injured 39 others whereas 156 terrorist attacks including 2 suicide attacks hit the NWFP during January killing 90 people and inuring another 163. The militants continuously attacked security forces, political parties’ leaders, pro-government elders, alleged spies, and so-called ‘un-Islamic’ elements in NWFP and the tribal agencies.  The Taliban militants were expanding their areas of operations. The government intensified security operation in Swat. The government has appointed Maulana Fazl ur-Rehman of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) to hold negotiations with the militants in Swat and FATA. So far no talks have taken place and the situation remains the same.

There were reported 4 terrorist and one sectarian-related terrorist attacks in Punjab during January 2009 that killed 1 and injured another 6 people. The Taliban are seemingly focusing on some districts of Punjab with help of outlawed sectarian outfits to outstretch the security forces and create new threats for the governments. However there was no incident of terrorist attack reported in Islamabad.

Karachi did not witness any incident of ethno-political violence during the month but a fierce clash between security forces and the Jundullah militants killed 2 policemen and injured 11 others.

[1] These nine were foreign militants.