Islamabad, Pakistan – The Pakistani military announced it conducted significant operations targeting militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the weekend, claiming the lives of eight suspected insurgents in two separate actions in the Bannu and Khyber districts. These intelligence-driven actions also resulted in the death of two military personnel.
This military escalation occurs amid a turbulent period of increased violence across Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, November witnessed at least 71 militant attacks, predominantly occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These incidents claimed the lives of at least 127 militant fighters.
2024 has seen a surge in such violent incidents, surpassing last year’s figures with more than 856 recorded attacks, a stark increase from 645 in 2023. The violence has resulted in over 1,000 deaths, impacting both civilians and security forces.
A notable attack happened on November 9, when a suicide bomber set off explosives at a railway station in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, killing nearly 30 people. Among the victims were both civilians and military personnel. The Balochistan Liberation Army, a group advocating for the independence of the mineral-rich province, claimed responsibility for this attack.
Furthering the complexity of Pakistan’s security challenges, supporters of the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan recently intensified the national political crisis by storming Islamabad. They demand the release of Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has responded to the increasing militant aggression by approving a new comprehensive military campaign against separatist groups, though specifics of the campaign remain undisclosed. Earlier, in June, the government initiated ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ or ‘resolve for stability,’ a campaign that tried to address the growing unrest.
Security analysts indicate that financial constraints and local political repercussions greatly hinder the effective implementation of these military operations. Amir Rana, director of the Pak Institute for Peace Studies, expressed concerns regarding the feasibility of sustaining large-scale military campaigns without adequate financial backing and on-ground support.
Furthermore, Ihsanullah Tipu, a security specialist based in Islamabad, highlighted a shift in military tactics from sweeping offensives to more focused, intelligence-based efforts. He attributes this shift to the elusive nature of Pakistan Taliban bases, making broader operations less practical and potentially harmful to civilians.
The renewed focus on intelligence has emphasized the need for advanced technology and local intelligence to effectively target insurgent activities without alienating the civilian population. However, Tipu notes that acquiring this level of sophistication in surveillance and intelligence gathering remains a challenge for the Pakistani military.
Abdul Sayed, a conflict researcher, pointed out the resilience of the Pakistan Taliban, citing a significant upswing in their attacks despite heavy losses. He also underscored the security forces’ insufficient response to these escalating threats, overshadowed by ongoing political rivalry and unrest within the country.
As Pakistan faces both internal political upheaval and relentless attacks by militant factions, the need for a coherent strategy integrating military, political, and social elements becomes more pressing to ensure national security and stability.