Pakistan witnesses 73% increase in terrorism-related deaths in February
What's the story
Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in deaths due to terrorism, with a shocking 73% spike reported in February compared to the previous month.
The Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) recorded 121 deaths and 103 injuries from 54 terrorist attacks across the country in this period.
Balochistan province was the worst hit, with an alarming 62% of all deaths.
Attack details
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bear the brunt of violence
The data also shows an increase in the number and severity of attacks by banned Baloch insurgent groups. A particularly deadly attack killed 18 Pakistan Army soldiers in Kalat.
Of the total casualties, 56 security and law enforcement personnel, 37 civilians, and 28 militants died.
Three attacks on non-Baloch workers and travelers in Balochistan alone killed 21 and injured seven.
KP violence
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also experiences high levels of violence
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) also witnessed high violence, with 30 attacks killing 45 and injuring 58 others.
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-i-Islam, and the Islamic State-Khorasan carried out the assaults.
The southern districts of Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, and North and South Waziristan bore the brunt of this wave of violence.
Fatalities
Balochistan records most fatalities in February
Balochistan registered the highest number of casualties: 75 killed and 45 injured in 23 attacks.
Baloch insurgent groups - including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) - conducted 22 attacks, killing a total of 74.
The TTP was responsible for one attack in this province that killed one.