‘40 per cent decline in terrorism in Pakistan’s tribal belt’

Terrorism in Pakistan’s tribal areas declined by 40 per cent in 2015 as compared to 2014, an annual security report said.

“The number of terror-related incidents in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas declined by 40 per cent during 2015,” said the annual security report issued by FATA Research Centre.

According to the report, total 293 terrorist and counter-militancy attacks were reported in the entire tribal areas during the 2015 in which at least 1,679 people were killed and 561 others were injured.

“Out of the total militancy incidents in 2015, 13 were target killings; 43 were militant attacks on civilians, 60 were militant ambushes on the military and 17 were attacks on members of the peace committee; 13 were cross-border attacks; four were kidnappings for ransom and three were clashes between various militant outfits”, the report said.

“North Waziristan and Khyber Agencies remained the most turbulent agencies of FATA, where military operations against both local and foreign militants are going on,” said the report.

According to the report, militants mainly employed target killings against law enforcement personnel and security agencies, political representatives, tribal elders and members of anti-Taliban tribal militias. Suicide attacks had witnessed a sharp decline of more than 50 over cent.