Pakistan Ranks Seventh Globally for Civilian Casualties from Explosive Weapons in 2024

Pakistan was the seventh most affected country worldwide for civilian casualties caused by explosive weapons in 2024, Dawn reported citing the UK-based NGO Action on Armed Violence (AOAV). The country recorded 790 civilian casualties, including 210 deaths, across 248 incidents.

While the number of casualties fell by 9% compared to 2023, the total incidents increased by 11%, rising from 218 to 248. Non-state actors were responsible for 76% of civilian harm, with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) causing 119 casualties. The BLA’s involvement marked a 440% increase in incidents from the previous year.

All suicide bombings in Pakistan were carried out by non-state groups, with the BLA responsible for 89% of civilian casualties from such attacks. Unknown non-state actors accounted for 54% of civilian casualties overall.

2024 saw the highest number of recorded explosive weapon incidents in Pakistan since 2014, and the second highest civilian and armed actor casualties since 2018 and 2015 respectively.