Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Pakistan

Country Overview:  Pakistani authorities increased counterterrorism operations in response to escalating terrorist attacks across the country, including attacks against Chinese nationals and CCP-backed interests.  A surge in terrorist attacks and casualties in Pakistan resulted in a 66 percent increase in fatalities in 2024 compared to 2023, marking the deadliest year in a decade.  Attacks were concentrated primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, along the border with Afghanistan.  While civilian casualties were significant, terrorist attacks in Pakistan increasingly targeted the Pakistani state, including police, security, and military targets.

The overwhelming majority of terrorist attacks were conducted by TTP and the BLA, and their respective affiliates.  ISIS-K also took credit for several attacks.  Terrorist groups continued to attack using small arms, IEDs, and suicide attacks as their primary tactics.  In June, Prime Minister Sharif approved a nationwide campaign to combat terrorism, and then in November, he authorized a separate comprehensive military operation targeting militant groups in Balochistan.  As of 2023, reports indicated that about 100 Pakistani nationals were in northeast Syria.  Pakistan continued to operate “deradicalization” camps offering “corrective religious education,” vocational training, and counseling.  Pakistani security forces engaged in limited cross-border attacks against reported TTP targets in Afghanistan.

Pakistani law allows for preventive detention, permits the death penalty for terrorism offenses, and creates specialized courts to try expedited terrorism cases.  Authorities have allegedly used anti-terrorism courts with greater frequency in cases involving terrorist charges filed against protestors, journalists, and opposition politicians.  Consistent with UNSC resolution 2178, returning FTFs may be prosecuted under Pakistani law.

Pakistan collected biometric information at land crossings through its International Border Management Security System.  The Customs Service enforced anti-money laundering laws and foreign exchange regulations at all major airports in coordination with other agencies.  Customs managed the entry of dual-use chemicals for legitimate purposes through end-use verification, while also attempting to prevent their diversion for use in IEDs.  Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorist financing are consistent with previous years.

2024 Terrorism Trends: Pakistan experienced a significant increase in terrorist attacks.  On July 15, a TTP-affiliated terrorist organization detonated a vehicle-borne IED at a military facility in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing eight soldiers and three civilians and injuring an estimated 140 soldiers.  The BLA launched a series of coordinated attacks on multiple sites across Balochistan during August 25-26.  Casualty reports varied from 38 to 130, including at least 20 ethnic Punjabis killed after assailants checked national IDs at one of at least 14 BLA roadblocks.

On September 22, TTP used an IED to target a police vehicle escorting foreign diplomats from 12 countries, killing one police officer and injuring four others.  Two Chinese nationals were killed by the BLA in an October 6 attack targeting a convoy less than a mile from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.  ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the November 14 assassination of the regional head of the Jamiat-e-Islami party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur tribal district.

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