Pakistan: escalating terrorist attacks intensify military response

2024 was Pakistan’s bloodiest year in a decade, with the highest number of civilian and military casualties from terrorist attacks. The main culprit is the TTP group, joined by separatist militants in Balochistan. To counter the threat, the state has launched several anti-terror operations in KP, eliminating dozens of terrorists. However, security remains a challenge, with more than 444 attacks recorded last year in this region alone. Another salient issue is the presence of abandoned US weapons in Afghanistan, which are being utilised by militants. Pakistan has urged the US and the international community to prevent such equipment from falling into the wrong hands. To combat terrorism, Pakistan will have to combine military operations with diplomatic measures to prevent Afghan territory from becoming a haven for anti-Pakistan groups. Since the beginning of 2025, a significant number of operations have been conducted in various districts of KP. Two separate attacks occurred in North Waziristan, resulting in the deaths of 13 terrorists. Furthermore, approximately 30 terrorists have been neutralised in the course of prior operations.