70 killed in 77 militant attacks across Pakistan in April

ISLAMABAD

At least 70 people, including 31 security personnel, were killed in 77 militant attacks across Pakistan in April, an Islamabad-based think tank said in its latest report.

According to the report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 67 civilians and security personnel were also injured in these attacks.

The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province recorded the highest numbers, 73% of the total attacks, followed by Balochistan with 16 attacks, Punjab with four, and Sindh province with one attack.

The country’s security forces also carried out operations against the militants and at least 55 suspected terrorists were killed and 12 others arrested, said the report.

In March, at least 77 people, including security personnel, were killed and 67 injured in 56 militant attacks in Pakistan.

During the last four months, the South Asian country experienced a total of 323 militant attacks, killing 324 people and wounding 387 others.

On Friday, at least three people, including a local journalist and the president of Khuzdar Press Club, Mohammad Siddiq Mengal, were killed in southwestern Balochistan province.

Terrorists targeted Mohammad Siddiq Mengal’s car in a remote-controlled blast, killing him and two other people, and injuring eight others, Inayatullah Khan, a local police officer, told Anadolu over the phone.

Pakistan has seen a surge in terror attacks since the Taliban stormed back into power in Kabul in August 2021.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of not taking enough action against the “Afghanistan-based” militants who are involved in attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Afghanistan denies the allegation.