Pakistan faces a deadly surge in terrorism as security forces are hit hard

In 2024, Pakistan experienced a significant rise in violence, making it the deadliest year for security forces in nearly a decade. The Center for Research and Security Studies reported alarming trends, highlighting a 70 percent increase in militant attacks compared to the previous year, driven mainly by the resurgence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). These groups have exploited the chaotic political and security landscape to launch a series of devastating assaults. Eighteen years after a notable decline in militant activities, the TTP emerged stronger, particularly in northwestern Pakistan, while the BLA intensified its violent campaign in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The situation has drawn comparisons to the darkest periods of terrorism in the region, as local activists express deep concern over safety and government inaction. Many attribute the escalating violence to a mismanaged Taliban policy by the Pakistani government that has backfired, causing the Afghan Taliban to bolster militant factions within Pakistan. Observers have criticized the military's heavy-handed approach to dealing with the TTP and BLA, suggesting that the Pakistani Army's counter-insurgency military tactics have intensified ethnic and regional grievances among the Baluch and Pashtun people. Reports of human rights abuses within the military's operations have further alienated local populations, fueling support for insurgent groups. As violence continues to spiral, ordinary citizens are caught in the crossfire between government forces and militant factions, increasing instability. The rise in militancy coincides with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, during which time some military gear was left behind, and subsequently seized by Taliban forces. This equipment has reportedly made its way into the hands of the TTP and other militant groups, enhancing their operational capacity. The situation remains fluid and complex as Pakistan attempts to navigate through the renewed wave of violence while addressing longstanding grievances among its diverse ethnic populations.