Pakistan witnessed highest number of suicide attacks this year since 2014, think tank reports

Pakistan this year saw the highest number of suicide attacks across the country in a decade, an Islamabad-based think-tank said on Monday.

A total of 29 suicide attacks happened over the past year, marking the highest number since 2014, the year when 30 suicide explosions were reported, according to a statistical report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

At least 329 people were killed and 582 others injured in the suicide attacks in Pakistan in 2023.

The suicide attacks rose 93 percent this year from 2022, whereas the resulting fatalities and injuries surged by 226 percent and 101 percent, respectively, PICSS said.

According to the report, 15 suicide attacks were logged in 2022, leading to 101 deaths and 290 injuries. A total of 623 terrorist attacks have been reported this year, compared to 380 in 2022, the report added.

Data showed security forces bore the brunt of the attacks. About 157 security personnel were killed and 340 others injured in the attacks, with 130 deaths and 242 injuries for civilians, said the report.