ISLAMABAD: A security report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) has shown a decline in violence-related fatalities in Pakistan.

The CRSS’ third quarterly security report was launched on Wednesday. It indicates that 1,208 people – civilians and security forces alike – died due to crime and terrorism-related violence, bringing the total number of fatalities in the first nine months to 3,869.

As many as 404 individuals were also injured in this quarter. Barring a few exceptions, the report stated that Pakistan recorded a decline in violence during this quarter, especially sectarian violence. The frequency of many other forms of violence also declined this quarter.

Violence has also decreased significantly when compared to data from the last two years. The reduction in some forms of violence, such as gang violence in Karachi, infighting amongst militant networks, and sectarian rivalries, is also noteworthy. The fatalities from US drone attacks also declined to 12 in this quarter.

At a provincial level Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) saw a sharp decline in fatalities from violence. Punjab saw a steep rise, with twice the number of fatalities over the same period in 2014. Balochistan also saw a marginal increase in the number of fatalities.

About 244 casualties were reported in Balochistan (188 dead and 56 injured), 609 casualties were reported in Fata (497 dead and 112 injured), 202 casualties in KP (127 dead and 75 injured), 234 casualties in Punjab (116 dead and 118 injured), 321 casualties in Sindh (280 dead and 41 injured) and one fatality each in Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan were recorded in the report.

A district-based comparison shows that the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) had the highest number of fatalities, due to the ongoing military operation in the region.

Karachi recorded the second highest number, but this was half of the number of fatalities recorded during the same period last year.

The districts of Attock, Muzaffargarh, Kalat, Multan and Naseerabad recorded double digit fatalities, which records from the corresponding period in the last two years show that these districts remained largely unaffected by violence-related fatalities.

The CRSS report claimed that the government and law enforcement have shifted their focus to sectarian outfits and their infrastructure. Militants, too, have altered their tactics and have started attacking high profile government infrastructure such as the PAF base in Badaber, the Jiwani airport, the assassination of the Punjab home minister and cross-border attacks.

Overall, fatalities from violence were reported to be increasingly on the side of militants and insurgents. Another positive sign was the reemergence of the government’s writ in areas that were outside government control just a few months ago.

However, the report stated that sporadic but major attacks cannot be ruled out until the ongoing operation truly completes its objectives.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2015

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