NA question hour: 8 terrorist attacks on foreigners since 2020

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday admitted law and order situation continued to deteriorate in the country besides a major surge in security threats in Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was giving a written reply to questions raised by Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro. The minister also gave a provincial wise break-up of the incidents and casualties to both civilians and members of law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

According to Interior Ministry from January 2024 to April 2024, 561 incidents of terrorism took place across the country. These attacks claimed 886 causalities of both the members of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and civilians. Out of these 167 members of security forces and 118 civilians were martyred. While 348 members of LEAs and 253 civilians were injured.

The National Assembly was informed that 1,514 incidents of terrorism were reported from January 2023 to December 2023. During these 572 LEAs and 358 civilians were martyred. These incidents left 1,292 members of LEAs and 700 civilians injured.

Interior Ministry’s data also provided a provincial break of terrorist incidents and casualties between Jan 2023 and April 2024. In 282 incidents of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 282, 131 members of LEAs were martyred and 260 were injured. Besides 45 civilians were also martyred and 79 injured during these attacks.

During this year 272 incidents of terrorism took place in Balochistan where 36 members of LEAs were martyred and 88 injured. During these attacks, 72 civilians were also martyred and 169 injured. In Sindh, five incidents of terrorism left five civilians injured. In the case of Punjab, a single incident of terrorism was reported in this period but it did not cause any casualties. The federal capital, Islamabad witnessed a single incident of terrorism that left one civilian martyred.

As many as 858 terrorism incidents were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from January 2023 to December 2023. These attacks left 402 LEAs martyred and 1,054 injured. During this period 178 civilians were also martyred while 393 were left injured. Also in Balochistan, 626 incidents of terrorism were reported in which 148 LEAs were martyred and 198 were injured. As many as 167 civilians were also martyred and 279 were injured during this period in Balochistan. In Sindh, 19 incidents of terrorism struck leaving 8 LEAs martyred and 26 injured. At the same time, six civilians were also martyred while 8 were injured in these attacks.

Overall 8 incidents of terrorism were reported in Punjab during this period that left 11 members of LEAs martyred and 9 were injured. One civilian was martyred and two were injured. Three members of LEAs were martyred and five injured in Gilgit Baltistan terror attacks while 6 civilians were martyred and 21 were injured there.

According to Naqvi the surge in terrorism was due to the withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, the existence of trans-frontier support base /training centres, and the acquisition of sophisticated weapons/ equipment by terrorist organisations has enhanced their operational capacities. Furthermore, the use of Social Media Networks/cyberspace has enhanced their outreach.

The written reply by the minister to the National Assembly explained that the National Action Plan (NAP), encompassing both kinetic and non-kinetic policy measures, is the mainstay of the counter-terrorism strategy. The minister said a regular reappraisal is carried out to counter the prevailing threats. The National Assembly was also told that a total of 2,208 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were conducted during the first quarter of 2024 in which 89 terrorists were killed and 328 arrested. Continuous intelligence-based operations (IBOs) are underway. The minister’s document further claimed that the border fencing along with surveillance of unfrequented routes is being carried out to deny infiltration of militants and their movement of weapons/material.

Pakistan, Naqvi’s response claimed has taken steps to curb the financing of terrorist activities by implementing measures to track and stop illicit financial flows. He also cited the drafting of the National Counter Violent Extremism Policy (NCVEP-2024) for which the cabinet’s approval is expected soon. The minister said NACTA is countering extremist narratives and propagating Pakistan’s national narrative against extremism and terrorism. In addition, a Fusion Centre has been established in NACTA to share actionable information with Counter Terrorism Departments and law enforcement agencies.

In another written reply to a question by Ms Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, the Interior Ministry’s data explained that 8 incidents of terrorism against Chinese/Japanese/foreigners/ took place from 2020 to 2024 in Sindh, KPK and Balochistan. During these attacks, two members of LEAs and 22 others were martyred. As many as 38 were injured including two personnel of the law enforcement agencies. Besides, 38 were injured including six personnel of law enforcement personnel.

Detailing measures taken by the government, the interior ministry document claimed that all standard operating procedures related to Chinese/foreigners working on CPEC/non-CPEC projects have been revised. The safety protocols for other Chinese have also been reviewed.

The interior ministry document emphasised that the National Action Plan (NAP)’s kinetic and no-kinetic measures are the mainstay of the counter-terrorism strategy. While regular reappraisal is carried out to counter the prevailing threats. It said 2,208 well-coordinated Intelligence-based Operations (IBO) were carried out throughout the country against militants’ networks. During 2024 they led to killing 89 terrorists while 328 were arrested. It claimed that border fencing along with surveillance of unfrequented routes is being carried out to deny infiltration of militants and movement of weapons/material used by terrorist organizations. During the question hour, PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan raised the issue of the absence of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi from the house. The Information Minister Attaullah Tarar in his reply said that the interior minister regularly attended the session but he could not attend Monday’s proceedings due to some pressing engagements. However, Tarar assured the House that the interior minister would be present in the next sitting.