Surge in Political Violence Hits Balochistan

Balochistan experienced a dramatic increase in political violence in 2024, with over 355 deaths and 640 injuries from 711 terrorism-related incidents, marking a ten-year high. The violence surged following NATO's withdrawal from Afghanistan, affecting areas like Quetta and Gwadar. Concurrently, Punjab faced challenges from ISI-backed gangs involved in extortion and attacks, including a high-profile assassination attempt on former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. In response to rising terrorism, Pakistan's security forces conducted 59,775 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) throughout the year, eliminating numerous terrorists across various regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and North Waziristan. Analysts warn of a strong alliance between the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), exacerbated by lack of cooperation among government entities. The persistent security issues highlight the need for a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy to address both insurgency and terrorism effectively.