ISLAMABAD: Pakistan showed an overall increase in violence-related casualties and injuries – a report says – compared to the year’s second quarter data.
An overall 1,092 causalities (651 dead and 441 injured) were recorded in the quarter from July to September – a 19.4% increase. This was the crux of the Centre for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) quarterly security monitoring report.
Additionally, 265 militants, criminals and insurgents were killed and 386 non-combatants lost their lives during this period – the largest group among the non-combatants was civilians at 287. At least 172 civilians lost their lives in the previous quarter as compared to this quarter’s 287 and 265 militants were killed as compared to last quarter’s 475.
So, the civilian deaths have seen a sharp increase (approximately 58%) while the loss of militants, insurgent and criminals’ lives has seen a sharp decrease (56%), the report said.
The report revealed that out of the 386 deceased non-combatants, civilians accounted for 44%, security officials 11%, political activists 2%, government officials 1% while religious persons accounted for 0.3% of the total casualties this quarter. Militants’ casualties accounted for 21% of the total casualties.
Balochistan witnessed an upsurge in violence-related casualties – at least 18% rise. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also showed an increase of 13% in violence – from 92 dead to 103 dead in the latest quarter. In Punjab, a 52.5% increase was recorded during this quarter as compared to the previous quarter.
Sindh, however, once again observed a reduction in fatalities in violence related activities – from 138 to 111 – and the average number of monthly fatalities dropped from 100 persons to 48 persons per month in the second quarter and 37 persons in the third. Karachi particularly witnessed a 21% reduction in violence – with fatalities falling from 133 to 104.
The data suggests that the fight is far from over and the unconditional implementation of rule of law should be the most paramount objective moving forward.
