Security Concerns China, Pakistan Seeks Resilience, Weekly Insight 08-14 Nov,2024

The country witnessed a surge in militant attacks during the week, with 13 incidents reported, resulting in 42 deaths and 89 injuries. Balochistan bore the brunt of these attacks, including a devastating suicide bombing at the Quetta railway station that killed 26 people, mostly security personnel, and injured 61 others. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility. Other attacks in the province included ambushes on convoys, targeted killings, and assaults on security checkpoints. Security forces responded with 11 actions, killing 28 militants, including key figures such as Sana alias Baru, a prominent BLA recruiter in Kech district.

Elsewhere, in erstwhile FATA and KP, attacks ranged from IED explosions and sniper assaults to clashes near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with several militants and security personnel killed. Notably, security forces thwarted infiltration attempts and engaged in major operations in North Waziristan, eliminating multiple TTP militants. In Sindh, authorities apprehended the alleged mastermind and facilitator behind a suicide bombing near Karachi airport targeting Chinese nationals.

The escalating threat posed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has become a significant security challenge in Pakistan, highlighted by a series of high-profile attacks, including the November 11 suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station that killed 26 people. Authorities have intensified counter-terrorism efforts, with federal and provincial agencies pledging enhanced coordination and resource allocation. The Balochistan government’s passage of the “Balochistan Security of Vulnerable Establishment Act, 2024” aims to formalize collaboration among security agencies, while the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has uncovered crucial intelligence on the BLA’s recruitment strategies targeting vulnerable youth. Despite these efforts, the lack of a coherent, long-term counter-insurgency framework persists, exacerbated by political inertia, leaving security agencies struggling to address the growing insurgency effectively.

Simultaneously, the Pakistan-China relationship faces pressure amidst rising attacks targeting Chinese nationals, including the October 5 bombing in Karachi that killed two Chinese citizens. These incidents have sparked diplomatic tensions, with China urging enhanced security measures for its nationals and projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). While Pakistan resists deploying Chinese security forces within its borders, it has emphasized its sacrifices and seeks greater Chinese support in capacity-building and intelligence sharing.

Imran Khan’s call for nationwide protests on November 24 reflects growing frustration and seen as a last-ditch effort by PTI to pressure the government and military establishment into dialogue and concessions, but expectations for U.S. intervention remain unrealistic. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Committee has criticized Pakistan’s legal and human rights practices, calling for reforms in military courts and protections for journalists and activists. As tensions rise, the coalition government is expected to adopt a hardline stance, potentially escalating the already volatile political climate.
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During the week of March 7–13, 2025, Pakistan witnessed a slight decrease in militant attacks, though the intensity of violence remained unchanged. A total of 15 militant attacks were recorded, compared to 19 in the previous week. However, the week gained significant attention due to the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a high-profile incident that unfolded over three days. The attack resulted in the tragic killing of 21 hostages — later revealed by PICSS to be off-duty security personnel traveling home — and four security forces personnel. Despite a phased rescue operation that eliminated 33 militants, the incident highlighted serious security and intelligence failures.Regionally, Balochistan saw a sharp 80% surge in militant activity, reporting nine attacks compared to five the previous week. In contrast, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) experienced a 50% drop, with three attacks, while erstwhile FATA recorded a 25% decrease, reporting three incidents. The week’s militant tactics included five targeted killings, five tactical assaults, two grenade attacks, and one each of an IED explosion, a combined suicide attack and tactical assault, and a kidnapping.Security forces carried out four counter-terrorism operations, resulting in the elimination of 12 alleged militants and the arrest of 10 […]

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