Pakistan witnessed a sharp rise in terror incidents in May after two months of relative improvement as attacks increased by 27 percent across the country last month, a monthly security assessment released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) has shown.
The report stated that 128 terrorist attacks were recorded in May, compared to 101 in April, reversing the downward trend observed over the previous two months.
The increase in attacks also led to higher casualties among civilians and security personnel.
According to PICSS, 71 civilians, 68 security personnel and six members of peace committees were martyred during the month. Another 147 civilians, 35 security personnel and three peace committee members were injured.
Compared to April, civilian deaths rose from 37 to 71, while fatalities among security personnel increased from 28 to 68.
The report also highlighted a rise in suicide bombings. Six suicide attacks were recorded during May, including four vehicle-borne blasts. The attacks also martyred 34 security personnel and nine civilians.
In comparison, only one suicide attack was reported in March and one in April.
Balochistan recorded the highest number of attacks during the month. The province witnessed 71 terrorist incidents, up from 34 in April.
The report also pointed to an increase in kidnappings, with 54 abductions reported nationwide in May. Of those, 52 took place in Balochistan.
According to PICSS, the figures suggest militant groups expanded their activities in both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) during the month.
Despite the rise in attacks, security forces continued counterterrorism operations across the country. PICSS reported that 270 militants were killed and 15 others were arrested during May.
Among those killed, 128 were eliminated in the former tribal districts, 62 in settled areas of KP, 71 in Balochistan and one in Punjab.
