Operation Azm-e-Istehkam (Urdu: آپریشن عزم استحکام) is a counter-insurgency operation launched by the government of Pakistan in June 2024.[2] The operation was approved by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.[3] The operation will include not only military action, but also socio-economic uplift to deter extremism.[4]
Etymology
Azm-e-Istehkam translates into "Commitment for Stability" or "Resolve for Stability". Azm (عزم) means "commitment" or "resolve", while Istehkam (استحکام) means "stability" in Urdu. The phrase Azm-e-Istehkam has been chosen by the government to emphasize onto the non-kinetic[further explanation needed] parameters of the operation aimed at socio-economic upliftment to counter extremism.[5]
The situation in erstwhile FATA further complicated with the emergence of Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Local Pakistani jihadi fighters that had previously fought Soviets, with support from Central Asian militant groups along with Arab fighters of al-Qaeda, in 2007 formed TTP.
The TTP emerged as one of the most lethal groups with the goal to overthrow Government of Pakistan in Islamabad and replace it with a Taliban-style government.
History of Pakistan's previous military campaigns
Responding to the threat posed by the Islamists, Pakistan Army under command of General Kayani's tenure started to turn the tide in its war against terrorism. In order to contain the militants General Kayani launched series of military campaigns to recapture areas fallen in the hands of militants from 2007 to 2013 beginning with Operation Rah-e-Haq. The campaign that launched by Kayani ended with success of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in late 2016. Pakistan Army under the Kayani Doctrine was able to capture six tribal agencies and four settled districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa including Swat and South Waziristan, which were two strongholds of TTP.
Area from Bara till the border of Tirah Valley returned to government control under Operation Khyber-1
Under Operation Khyber-2 the main Tirah Valley cleared and returned under government control by 15 June 2015, marking the first anniversary of Operation Zarb-e-Azb
Area beyond Tirah Valley returned to government control under Khyber-3 that ended in July 2017
The last valley in Tirah, Rajgal Valley, located on Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was recaptured and secured by 21 August 2017.
With success of Operation Khyber three agencies of FATA namely, Kurram, Khyber and Orakzai agencies were successfully secured from all sides.
By mid-2017 more or less Government of Pakistan reestablished its authority over more or less 98% of the lost erstwhile FATA.
Unlike previous military campaign operation was not aimed at regaining lost territory but to purge Pakistan of sleeper cells that escaped across country
375,000 intelligence-based operations conducted as of 2021
According to Delhi-based South Asian Terrorism Portal (SATP) 2019 was post peaceful year for Pakistan since the time of start of insurgency in 2004, the suicide attacks in Pakistan in 2019 was decreased to 8 from record high of 85 in 2009.
The seven tribal agencies of FATA merged into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for effective governance in 2018.
Resurgence of New wave of terrorism since fall of Kabul in 2021
With help of military campaigns Pakistan Army was able to push back TTP into Afghanistan from where it continues to launch terrorist attacks on Pakistan. By 2014, the casualty rates from terrorism in the country as a whole dropped by 40% as compared to 2011–2013, with even greater drops noted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite a large massacre of schoolchildren by TTP terrorists in the province in December 2014. The reduction in hostilities eventually changed the conflict from a war to a relatively low-level conflict. However, massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar and continues sense of insecurity forced Pakistani political leadership to draft National Action Plan.
National Action Plan 2014 and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad 2017
In line with National Action Plan, Pakistan launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad under its commander COASQamar Javed Bajwa. This operation was launched in order clean-off militants that escaped across country due to army's earlier campaigns in FATA. The operation was aimed at consolidating efforts of previous military campaigns.
Radd-ul-Fasaad vowed to tackle cross border militancy, purge sleeper cells in Urban Pakistan, flush of remnants militants escaped across country, and pursuit National Action Plan.The operation entailed the conduct of Broad Spectrum Security (Counter Terrorism) operations by Rangers in Punjab and Sindh, and by the Frontier Corps in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and focus on more effective border security management. Countrywide disarmament and explosive control were also given as additional objectives of the operation. The National Action Plan was pursued as the hallmark of this operation.[7][8]
As a result of Radd-ul-Fasaad, TTP suffered huge losses and divided into various splinter groups that weakened its operational capabilities. According to Delhi-based South Asian Terrorism Portal (SATP) 2019 was post peaceful year for Pakistan since the time of start of insurgency in 2004. According to SATP, The suicide attacks in Pakistan in 2019 was decreased to 8 from record high of 85 in 2009. By 2021, More than 375,000 operations have been carried out against terrorists, including over 150,000 in Sindh, 3,4000 in Punjab, more than 80,000 in Balochistan and over 92,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[9]
Operation was a tactical victory for Pakistan as country saw consolidation of gains of Operation Zarb-e-Azb by further denting the terrorist capability to carry out activities against Pakistan which was visible in drastic drop in suicide and IED attacks. Yet it deemed as a strategic failure due to failure of operation to achieve objectives of National Action Plan. The country failed to foster durable peace, specially after Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. The political change in Afghanistan triggered new wave of terrorism in Pakistan. Since 2022 Pakistan has seen a visible uptick in terrorism-related incidents.
Resurgence in Insurgency since August 2021
After 2019, country saw slow implementation on the National Action Plan specially on its primary aim of combating extremism. Resultantly since fall of Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan is confronted with renewed threat of terrorism as TTP has been injected with fresh dose of strength due to the victory of Taliban in Afghanistan. The fresh recruits, easy access to US made weapons, and a sanctuary under the shadow of Afghan Taliban have once again bolstered the TTP to again target Pakistan. In 2023, Pakistan saw an increase in terror incidents, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan terminated its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.[10][11][6]
In 2022 After failure of negotiations, the TTP and the government announced a ceasefire in June 2022. However, in November 2022, the TTP renounced the ceasefire and called for nationwide attacks against Pakistan.
Surge in terrorism led Pakistan to strike on TTP safe havens present on Afghan soil. On 16 April 2022, the Pakistani military conducted predawnairstrikes on multiple targets in Afghanistan's Spera District of Khost and Shultan District of Kunarprovinces. Afghan officials said the attacks killed at least 47 civilians and injured 23 others. Initial reports described the attacks as either rocket strikes or aerial strikes carried out by a number of aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force, and Afghan officials claimed the operation was carried out by Pakistani military helicopters and jets. Pakistani officials initially denied Pakistan carried out the airstrikes, but Pakistani security officials later claimed the airstrikes involved drone strikes from inside Pakistani airspace, and that no aircraft were deployed. Some reports said the Pakistani airstrikes also targeted parts of Paktika Province. According to the Pakistani media and some Afghan media outlets, the attacks targeted militants belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
On 18 March 2024, in response to the attack from Afghanistan, Pakistan Air Force carried out two intelligence based airstrikes on Afghanistan's eastern border provinces of Khost and Paktika. The Afghan government claim that Pakistan killed five women and three children. Pakistan denies this, claiming that it killed terrorists instead while targeting the Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant group, a splinter organization of the Pakistani Taliban, and that it had successfully killed Sehra alias Janan, a high-value target commander. Another commander, Abdullah Mehsud, was claimed to have been killed, but later released a video refuting the claim. It was also reported that Mehsud's house was targeted in which his wife and a minor son was killed. Pakistan went on to blame the Pakistani Taliban and its splinter militias for the deaths of hundreds of Pakistani civilians, and claimed that they used Afghanistan as a base and that they had support from within the Taliban.
Given the deteriorating law and order situation in North-West Pakistan, on 7 April 2023, Pakistan's National Security Committee under leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to launch a new military operation to root out militants posing threats to its western regions. The meeting was also attended by the Pakistan's new military leadership COASAsim Munir and CJCSCSahir Shamshad Mirza.
On 22 June 2024, Pakistan's Apex Committee on National Action Plan approved a new operation codenamed as Azb-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability) that is meant to address slow implementation of National Action Plan specially by addressing its vow of healing extremism across Pakistan.
Approval and launch
On 22 June 2024, the operation was approved during a meeting of the Apex Committee on National Action Plan in Islamabad.[12] The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by key federal cabinet members, chief ministers from all provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, provincial chief secretaries, services chiefs, and others.[3]
Pakistan Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif clarified on 25 June 2024 that "Operation would not be large scale operation.Sharif said Operation Azm-e-Istehkam is being “misunderstood” and compared to previous military operations such as Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Rah-e-Nijat. He said militants in these operations were killed for creating “no-go areas” in the country and for challenging the writ of the state, adding that they caused massive displacement of the population. There are currently no such no-go areas in the country as the ability of terrorist organizations to carry out large-scale organized operations inside Pakistan has been decisively defeated by past armed operations. Therefore, no large-scale military operation which would require population displacement is being contemplated.Its objective is to instill a new spirit and drive in the ongoing implementation of the revised National Action Plan, which was launched after a national consensus in the political arena. Operation Azm-e-Istekam is a multi-domain, multi-agency and national vision to bring about sustainable peace and stability in the country.[13][14]
The Operation is primarily aimed at speeding-up implementation of the Pakistan's National Action Plan (NAP) which was conceived in an aftermath of politico-military consensus in 2014 to combat extremism and terrorism within Pakistan. According to PMO statement, following objectives has been laid down in line with NAP.[17]
The main objective of the operation is to end extremism and terrorism decisively and comprehensively.[3][18] The operation aims to coordinate and coordinate efforts on multiple fronts to counter these threats, while intensifying efforts to curb terrorist activities through regional cooperation in the political and diplomatic arenas.[3]
Balochistan Liberation Army carried out an attack on a military base in Kalat allegedly claiming to have killed twelve soldiers, however official reports acknowledged the deaths of two Frontier Corps soldiers.
Three militants were also killed in the attack.[19]
25 June
Military related handles on X released a footage of drone strike on Masjilis-e-Askari Karwan of terrorists belonging to Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of Tehreek Taliban Pakistan in the Darga Peerpal area of Bannu District. Reportedly, three terrorists were claimed to be neutralized.[21][22]
A policeman was wounded in an attack on a police post in Orakzai District.
Two militants were killed and three were wounded in an operation in Sra Derga area of Bannu District.[19]
Seven were injured when threw grenades on the security forces vehicles in North Waziristan.[19]
Three civilians were wounded in a militant attack near a police patrol.[19]
Pakistani authorities report the arrests of Commander Nasrullah and Commander Idress in Quetta, who were two key Pakistani Taliban commanders.[23] Moreover, six militants and two Pakistani soldiers were killed in Hassan Khel Tehsil, Peshawar District, during military raids on multiple hideouts.[24]
On 27 June, in Tank District, military raids on insurgent bases killed ten militants[24] and a military operation in Bagh, Khyber District resulted in the deaths of seven militants and five Pakistani soldiers.[24]
The house of Aslam Khan a tribal leader in the Lakki Marwat District was attacked by militants but caused no casualties.[19] Moreover, a police station in Peshawar was attacked by militant rockets causing no casualties.[19]
Pakistani ambassador to the United States, requested military aid including modern weaponry to aid in Operation Azm-e-Istehkam as well as addressing the need for strengthening of military ties between the two countries for fighting terrorism diplomatic comeback in Kabul.[25][26][27]
Rahat Khan, an influential person in Swabi was killed by unknown militants.[19]
Thirteen labourers were abducted from Tank District by militants, nine were rescued by a police operation.[19]
29 June
A civilian was killed and his son wounded in a militant attack in Balochistan.[19]
A gas pipeline was damaged in Bolan District suspected to be a militant attack.[19]
The son of a local peace committee member was killed in Tank District.[19]
Two soldiers were killed in a rocket and grenade attack in Takhta Baig area of Khyber District.[19]
A logistical vehicle carrying food for soldiers was targeted by militants.[19]
July 2024
1 July
Three people were killed in a roadside bombing in Turbat District, Balochistan.[29] Along with two members of security forces were killed in a rocket attack on their post in Jamrud, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[29]
Seven militants were killed in a military operation in Tirah including Pakistani Taliban commanders, Najeeb Abdul Ur Rehman and Ishfaq Muavia and two more militants were killed in a separate engagement in Lakki Marwat.[30][31]
A traffic Policeman was killed by militants in Peshawar.[32]
A person allegedly a militant was captured during a raid in Awaran District.[32]
Three civilians were killed and one injured in an attack in Turbat.[32]
Moreover, an IED bombing in Bajaur District killed senator Hidayat Ullah, who was campaigning in an election run-up, initial death toll was reported to be three[37] but later rose to five.[38][39]
Also, Pakistani security forces carried out an intelligence based operation in Bajaur District and Pakistani Taliban Commander Irfan Ullah after a firefight between security forces and militants.[41][42]
Islamabad police foiled a terror attack ahead of Muharram by capturing a large amount of weapons and explosives after a firefight with militants who managed to flee.[44][45]
Two Policemen were killed and two wounded in an attack on a police station in Kashmore District.[32]
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan announced the launch of a retaliatory Operation Azm-e-Shariat to counter Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.[32]Jamaat-ul-Ahrar announced the launch of their own Operation Al Ra’ad.[32]
An engagement in Hassan Khel Tehsil of the Peshawar District led to the deaths of four security personnel and three militants including militant commander Abdul Raheem.[61][62]
In Kalat District military carried out an offensive advancing rapidly in multiple areas such as Harboi, Iskalkoo, Chuto, Chashma, Maimonki, Aab-e-Dok, and also in the surroundings of Kalat District.[32]
The Pakistani Taliban launched two coordinated attacks on the military cantonment in Bannu.[67][68][69] A militant attacked the base with a vehicle loaded with explosives while another exploded a suicide vest outside the perimeter of the base. Eight soldiers and ten militants were killed[70] and about 141 people including 7 civilians were wounded in the attacks.[71] At least eight civilians were amongst the injured.[72] Several houses and buildings were damaged.[68] The attack caused significant casualties but was unsuccessful in its main aim to penetrate and capture the garrison.[73]
Jaish E Fursaan E Muhammadi, a faction within the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility.[67] Military helicopters were dispatched to the region and ground troops were also deployed in the region.[72]
Five civilians (two children and two female health operatives) were killed in a militant attack on a health facility in Dera Ismail Khan. The military then engaged the militants, killing three of them. Two soldiers died in the skirmishes.[75][76]
Militants attacked a Police checkpoint in Bannu District but the attack was thwarted by a police counterattack.[32]
17 July
Four alleged separatists were detained from Awaran District by security forces personnel.[32]
One soldier was killed and two wounded in a Balochistan Liberation Front attack on their post in Kech District while two more were killed and another wounded in a separate attack in the same district.[32]
22 July
Militants destroyed a government run girls school in North Waziristan completely razing its seven classrooms however, no casualties were reported.[81]
Moreover, three Policemen were wounded in a bomb blast near their vehicle in Khyber District.[82]
A civilian driver was killed and two wounded in militant attacks in Harnai District.[32]
In Hoshab, Balochistan, Pakistan Army conducted an intelligence based operation killing one militant while wounding two others. Their weapons and ammunition were also confiscated and a further clearance operation was carried out.[84]
A gas pipeline from Sui to Karachi was damaged by Baloch Republican Guards in Kashmore District.[32]
Two policemen were injured in a militant attack on a security post in Swat District, the militants managed to flee.[32]
25 July
Seventeen surrendered Pakistani Taliban militants initially set free by the government in exchange for their surrender were rearrested in Bannu by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police as a part of a new campaign to spare no militants, their vehicles, weapons and ammunition were seized.[85]
A counter terrorism unit of police was attacked in Mohmand District, the clash resulted in the deaths of one policeman and a militant.[32]
Two police officers were targeted in Dera Ismail Khan by militants but evaded their attack.[32]
Four people allegedly separatists were detained by security forces in Quetta.[32]
Security Forces attacked a vehicle in Kech District and detained its occupants who were allegedly separatists.[32]
Two people were killed in Mingora by militants.[32]
29 July
Three militants and a policeman were killed in an intelligence based operation in Mohmand District while a wanted militant Satifullah was killed and three militants were wounded in an engagement in Dera Ismail Khan and a militant was killed in an engagement with security forces in North Waziristan.[88]
An attack on a Balochistan Levies post in Milizai area of Pishin resulted in the deaths of two levies personnel.[90] Another attack on the same post just after eight hours wounded a policeman.[90]
Moreover, an attack on Charwazgai check post in Khyber District claimed the lives of two policemen as well as wounding another, a civilian security guard at a nearby gas station was also wounded.[90]
A private security was hijacked by militants who stole more than 50 million PKR.[32]
Three people including a retired security personnel and his two relatives were killed in North Waziristan by militants.[32]
Two policemen were killed in a militant attack on their convoy in Tank District while escorting the vehicles of two judges. The judges however remained safe.[92]
A tribal jirga in Lakki Marwat asked the military to launch a comprehensive campaign to flush out all militants from the territory of the district as the militants were reported to become a serious threat to local security.[94]
5 August
Two people were including a teacher were killed by militants in South Waziristan.[91]
Militants attacked security company vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan and looted PKR 8 million from it.[91]
Two hand grenade explosions were reported at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University in Quetta during pre-independence day celebrations.[91]
A police station was attacked in Nasirabad District by militants, no casualties were reported.[91]
9 August
In Tirah, militants attacked three Pakistan Army positions along the border with Afghanistan, a heavy gun battle ensued between the security forces and militants of Hafiz Gul Bahadur group resulting in the confirmed deaths of four soldiers.[b]
Pakistan Army (local sources reported six military fatalities) personnel and four militants, about twelve soldiers were also wounded,[98] the militants also claimed to have destroyed an Armoured Personnel Carrier and a military excavator, moreover artillery shells were also launched in the area.[99]
In Bannu a police SHO and two other officers were wounded in a militant attack on a police patrol, a civilian was killed and two civilians were wounded.[99]
A policeman was also killed by militants in a separate incident in Bannu.[91]
10 August
Three civilians were injured in a bomb blast targeting a police vehicle in Awaran District, the police vehicle suffered no damages.[100]
An Oil and Gas Company employee survived an abduction attempt by militants in Lakki Marwat District.[91]
Four soldiers including an officer were injured in a militant attack in North Waziristan.[91]
The vehicle of a SHO was attacked by militants but caused no casualties.[91]
Militants carried out three rockets attacks in Turbat.[91]
12 August
Three Afghan civilians were killed in cross border skirmishes between Afghan Taliban and Pakistan Army, three Pakistani troops were also wounded in the skirmishes.[102]
Four Frontier Corps personnel were killed and 27 others were wounded in militant attacks on their posts in South Waziristan, a search operation was launched against the perpetrators.[103]
The Deputy Commissioner of Panjgur District, Zakir Baloch, was killed and Municipal Committee Chairman, Abdul Malik Baloch was injured in a militant attack on their vehicle.[91]
13 August
A policeman was killed and another wounded in a grenade attack on a police checkpost in Lower Dir, with police retaliation forcing the militants to flee.[104]
Militants also carried out an attack on a check post at Shangla’s tourist destination Yakhtangay but was thwarted by strong police retaliation.[104]
A child was killed and 12 wounded, in militant attacks at a hotel and a bridge near Quetta Railways station.[104]
A check post in Quetta was also attacked by militants but caused no casualties.[104]
Militants also attacked a post in Noshki district, causing no casualties.[104] *In Khyber district, police claimed having repulsed two militant attacks, one on a police post and another near a protest camp by effectively engaging the militants.[104]
A tribal elder was killed and another was severely wounded in a militant attack in Bajaur District.[91]
Balochistan Liberation Army carried out a bomb blast at Sariab Mill Girls College in Quetta during preparations for independence day celebration.[91]
Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh School in Quetta was also targeted with a bomb blast on August 13 in an explosion during preparations for independence day celebration.[91]
Militants attacked a post in Panjgur District but no casualties were reported.[91]
A bomb blast took place at Bugti Stadium in Kharan District causing no casualties. Six militants and four soldiers were killed in an engagement in South Waziristan.[91] *Two militants involved in the killing of the Panjgur DC were killed in Panjgur District.[91]
Two people were killed and three wounded in militant attacks on civilian houses in Quetta.[91]
A girls’ high school on Munir Mengal Road in Quetta was attacked by militants.[91]
14 August
In South Waziristan, a checkpost and a police station were attacked by militants but the militants were repulsed after an intense battle, the checkpost wasn't damaged but a civilian house was hit by a Mortar shell.[104]
A bomb blast occurred at a military checkpoint in Nushki District; no casualties were reported.[91] Unknown militants attacked a military camp in Kech District using heavy weaponry causing significant material damage.[91]
A singer was detained in Quetta by security forces over allegations of being a separatist. A man was killed by militants in Kech District.[91]
Two alleged separatists were detained from Kharan District by security forces.[91]
Balochistan Liberation Front attacked seven military posts and a military camp in Awaran District killing six soldiers and wounding eleven more and also two checkpoints and military camp in Kech District killing three soldiers and wounding seven, militant casualties were unclear.[91][c]
15 August
A huge police contingent including special operatives and Armoured Personnel Carriers was deployed in Dadu District against heavily armed militants who had previously killed a policeman, police operations were carried out in Mondar, Ismail Ja Bhan, Keti Jatoi and surrounding villages.[105]
Seven militants were killed and five others were wounded in an intelligence based military operation carried out in Kurram District, their weapons and ammunition amongst other items were seized and a subsequent clearance operation was launched in the area.[106]
A large militant contingent, of around fifty to sixty militants attacked Lakhani police post at the border of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the police launched its own counterattack forcing the militants to retreat.[107]
A policeman was wounded in a militant attack in Lower Dir.[91]
A pro-government "death squad" member was killed by unknown militants in Balochistan and a civilian was killed by the "death squad" group in Kech District.[91]
Two Shia civilians were wounded in a militant attack on their bus in Dera Ismail Khan, the bus went out of control further injuring three civilians.[109]
A police station was attacked by militants in Nasirabad District, no casualties were reported.[91] A military post was attacked by militants in Turbat.[91]
Five dead bodies ridden with bullets were recovered from Chagai District.[91]
Three militants were killed and another one wounded in a military operation in North Waziristan.[110]
17 August
A suspected separatist was captured by security forces from Kharan District.[91]
Three people were wounded in a bomb blast near Balochistan University in Quetta.[91]
A civilian was killed and another wounded in a militant attack in Turbat.[91]
Two soldiers were killed and three were wounded in a militant attack on their convoy in Dera Ismail Khan while a policeman was killed and three others wounded in another militant attack in Lakki Marwat.[111]
A Tablighi Jamat affiliated businessman was killed by militants in Bajaur District.[91]
Two Police personnel including an SHO were killed in a militant attack in Lakki Marwat.[91]
19 August
Militants of Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam started their own patrols questioning the writ of government in Tirah as the police and levies had retreated from the area.[112]
Three more militants involved in the assassination of Panjgur DC murder were killed in an operation in Mastung District.[113]
Two Police personnel were wounded in a militant attack in Hangu District.[91]
A large scale military operation was started in Kalat District, gunships and helicopters were dispatched, artillery strikes were carried out and multiple strikes were reported.[91]
20 August
Security Forces were attacked by militants in Nushki District damaging a military vehicle.[91]
Two children were killed and six people wounded in an attack on a school bus in Attock.[116]
Large scale military operations were being carried out in Mastung and Bolan District including both ground offensive and aerial assault by gunships.[91]
23 August
Three people including a security forces personnel were wounded in a militant attack outside a mosque in Bajaur District.[91]
24 August
A bomb blast in Pishin by Pakistani Taliban killed three civilians and wounded thirteen people including two policemen.[117]
Three SNGPL employees were kidnapped by militants from Bannu.[118]
25 August
23 civilians[119] were killed after being offloaded from their vehicles and their IDs being checked by Balochistan Liberation Army militants, the reason for twbir killing was described as belonging to the Punjabi ethnic group.[120]
Several engagements tool place between law enforcement and militants in Balochistan leading to the deaths of at least twelve militants.[121]
Militant attacks in Kalat District lead to eleven deaths including law enforcement.[121]
Militants attacked a police station in Pasni, wounding policemen and destroying three vehicles.[121]
A police station in Suntsar was ransacked with the militants capturing weaponry.[121]
A Balochistan Levies station was attacked in Khadkocha with the personnel being taken captive.[121]
Multiple other engagements tool place in Kalat, four Levies personnel, a policeman, two civilians and a tribal leader were amongst those killed.[121] Assistant commissioner of Kalat was wounded and four Levies personnel were wounded.[121]
Many engagements occurred at the Quetta-Karachi highway with the traffic being blocked.[121] Levies and police stations in Mastung, Sibi, Panjgur, Mastung, Turbat, Bela, and Quetta were also attacked by militants.[121]
A railway track linking Pakistan and Iran was destroyed near Mastung.[121]
The total death toll of the militant attacks in Balochistan was reported to be 26 civilians, 14 law enforcement personnel and 21 militants,[122] later the toll was reported to be 73–74 with only the civilian casualties being revised.[123][124]
Balochistan Liberation Army claimed that the attacks on the previous day, names as Operation Fidayeen Herof had killed 120 soldiers and they had briefly captured a military camp in Las Bela, the blockades on high way were lifted. Fidayeen Unit, Majeed Brigade, Special Tactics Operations Unit took part in this "operation".[91][d] However, most Pakistani and international sources state that only 14 Pakistani servicemen were killed.[125]
As a result of attacks against civilians and servicemen by the Balochistan Liberation Army which left over 70 dead, the Pakistani army ramped up operations and neutralised 5 BLA insurgents.[128]
Two alleged separatists were captured by security forces from Kech District.[91]
31 August
The Pakistani military intensified IBOs in the Tirah valley, killing 37 insurgents, including their ringleader, Abu Dhar, alias Saddam. The IBOs were carried out by the Special Service Group, and Pakistani casualties were said to be kept to a minimum.[129]
Three militants were killed and four soldiers were injured in an operation in South Waziristan.
Two bomb disposal unit personnel were wounded in a militant attack in South Waziristan.[91]
A bomb blast in Bajaur led to the death of one person and wounding of two others.[130]
Two people were wounded in a bomb blast in Quetta.[130]
Two Policemen were injuredin Mianwali during a militant attack.[131]
2 September
Three soldiers of the Frontier Constabulary and four private security guards were returned as a result of negotiations with militants.[131]
Militants destroyed a government school in Buner and then as a police vehicle reach the area it was targeted in an IED attack but caused no casualties.[131]
3 September
A police officer was killed by militants in Quetta. [131]
Pakistan Army and Afghan Taliban clashed in multiple areas of Khost District and Kurram District[133] resulting in the deaths of at least eight Taliban including two commanders of the Afghan Taliban, Khalil and Jan Muhammad and further wounding of sixteen Afghan Taliban.[134] Five Pakistani personnel were also killed in the skirmishes.[133] Open Source Intelligence also claimed one soviet-era T-62 tank operated by Afghan Taliban destroyed by the Pakistani forces.[135][136]
Counter Terrorism Department conducted 71 operations throughout Punjab capturing nine militants as well as recovering explosives, two grenades, 26 detonators, 73 ft fuse wire, ammunition, guns, mobile phones, and cash.[140]
An alleged separatist was captured from Gwadar.[131]
Five people, including three civilians and two Levies personnel were killed and three personnel were wounded in a clash over the "illegal" abduction of an alleged separatist.[131]
The house of a Police officer was attacked by militants in Lakki Marwat District, eventually becoming a large scale fire exchange between the insurgents and armed local civilians.[131]
Two polio vaccine personnel were abducted by militants in Dera Ismail Khan District but later released on the condition of no longer participating in vaccination campaign.[131]
Two alleged Baloch separatists were captured by security forces.[131]
24 September
An alleged Baloch separatist was captured from Sargodha.[131]
A police post was attacked by militants near Peshawar but a large police contingent was deployed and retaliated inflicting losses on the insurgents forcing them to retreat.[131]
A militant was killed and six more wounded while two soldiers were wounded in an operation in North Waziristan.[131]
Militants attacked a police station in Swat District. However the locals came to the defense of the police personnel and the combined contingent of police and locals repelled the militants.[131]
Nine soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in a Baloch Republican Army bomb attack on a convoy followed by a barrage of rockets and automatic weapons, in Dera Bugti.[142]
Militants of Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar e Islam having captured a large territory in Tirah established a parallel administration including parallel courts militant patrols and enforcement of Sharia law.[142]
Two militants and a policeman were killed and another policeman was wounded in an attack on a polio vaccination team in Orakzai District.[142]
30 October
Eight militants and three soldiers were killed while seven militants were wounded in an operation in Bannu District.[142]
31 October
Two soldiers were killed in a grenade attack on a checkpost in Khyber District.[142]
November
1 November
Nine people including five school children were killed and 29 others wounded in an explosion targeting a Police van near the Civil Hospital and Girls School Chowk in Mastung.[143]
Ten alleged separatists were detained from the National University of Modern Language in Rawalpindi.[143]
Five insurgents and four soldiers were killed during a clash in South Waziristan.[143]
8 November
Six insurgents of the Hafiz Gul Bahadar group were killed, and six more wounded during an operation conducted by the military in North Waziristan District, a cache of arms and ammunition was also captured.[143]
A Policeman was killed by insurgents in Peshawar outside his home.[143]
Four separatists, including a “high-value target” were killed in a military operation in Kech District.[143]
Baloch insurgents reportedly blocked Jafri Kaur, Khwari Checkpoint and Chai, along the Coastal Highway between Ormara and Pasni, multiple vehicles transporting minerals were set alight.[143]
In Ormara, separatists attacked a Levies Force post and a Coast Guard camp seizing weapons and equipment as well as inflicting casualties.[143]
Separatists blocked roads and attacked vehicles carrying minerals Mastung, Turbat, Kharan, Gwarkop, Hoshap, Dera Bugti, Mashkay, Bolan, Buleda, Zamuran, Hironk, Panjgur, Barkhan, Awaran, Dukki, Kohlu, Tump and Gwadar.[143]
14 November
An alleged separatist was captured from Quetta.[143]
An alleged separatist was captured from Gwadar.[143]
A suicide bomber targeted a Police mobile unit in Charsadda District causing damage but no casualties.[143]
13 militants and five civilians were killed as a result of an explosion in a bomb making factory of ‘commander’ Jihadyar in North Waziristan District.[143]
Two people were killed and two wounded in an attack on a convoy in Khuzdar District.[143]
Nine insurgents and eight soldiers were killed during clashes in Tirah, seven soldiers and six insurgents were also wounded.[143]
Seven Policemen were abducted in an ambush in Bannu District, their weapons and equipment was also seized but the policemen were released the next day.[143]
Twelve soldiers and six insurgents were killed in an attack on a checkpost in Bannu District and 10 other soldiers were wounded, the attack included a suicide attack as well.[143]
20 November
A military convoy was ambushed in Mastung District including an IED attack followed by rocket fire.[143]
Six people were killed and five border guards wounded in a major attack by 35 insurgents on a border post in Hangu-North Waziristan border region.[144]
Six insurgents were killed and eight wounded in a military operation in Tank District.[144]
22 insurgents and six soldiers were killed in three engagements across KP.[144]
Two alleged separatists are captured from Balochistan.[144]
Two Policemen were killed while two other wounded in a militant attack on a post in Shangla District.[144]
17 December
Three soldiers were killed and three wounded in an IED attack on a military vehicle working for security of a polio vaccination team in Dera Ismail Khan District.[144]
Afghanistan and Pakistani forces heavily skirmished on the Dande Pattan-Kurram Border but no casualties or damages were reported.[144]
Five insurgents and an Army Major were killed and eight insurgents were wounded in a military operation in North Waziristan District while six more insurgents were killed and an additional eight insurgents were wounded in an operation in South Waziristan District.[144]
Although Pakistan urges the US to provide modern small arms,[27] a spokesperson of the US State Department said "We support Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and protection of human rights."[151] Starting from 3 July, the American and Pakistani troops started two-week-long counterterrorism exercises in Pabbi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[35][36]
Notes
^the casualties of other militants are unknown like other BLA and BLF attacks as BLA and BLF don't disclose their casualties
^Three on 9 August, and an officer on 11 August from injuries sustained during the combat[97]
^Casualties were reported by BLF which did not disclose its own losses
^Most Pakistani and international sources reported that 14 soldiers were killed and 21 militants were killed
.jpg)
