Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained in the grip of militancy this year as 605 incidents of terrorism were reported in the province during the first eight months, resulting in the martyrdom of 79 police personnel and injuries to 130 others, according to a report issued by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
The report revealed that the wave of terrorist attacks also claimed 138 lives and left 352 people wounded in different districts. A total of 351 suspects were nominated in connection with the attacks, while 32 terrorists were killed in encounters with the security forces and five others were arrested during the period under review.
The CTD noted that the month of August proved to be particularly deadly, with 129 terror incidents across the province. These attacks left 17 people dead, including 13 police personnel, while 51 others were injured. Forty-six policemen also sustained injuries while fighting militants during the month.
According to the report, Bannu emerged as the most affected district with 42 incidents in August alone, in which 186 suspects were nominated. Security operations during the same period also led to the killing of eight terrorists in encounters. North Waziristan followed with 15 incidents, South Waziristan with 14, Dir with 11, while Dera Ismail Khan and Kurram each recorded eight incidents.
Officials said the surge in violence underscores the mounting security challenges in the province, particularly in the southern districts bordering Afghanistan, where militant groups continue to operate with increasing intensity. The report also pointed out that the sacrifices of police and law enforcement personnel remain at the forefront of the province’s counter-terrorism efforts, as they bore the brunt of the attacks while confronting militants.
The CTD concluded that the trend highlights both the resilience of the security forces and the persistent threat of militancy, stressing the need for sustained operations and intelligence-based actions to curb the rising wave of terrorism in the province.
