Terror incidents claimed 3,300 lives this yea
By Amir Wasim
Over 3,300 people were killed this year in terrorism-related incidents across the country.
ISLAMABAD: Over 3,300 people, including personnel of law-enforcement agencies and armed forces, were killed this year in terrorism-related incidents across the country. Suicide bombers struck every fifth day.
Data compiled through newspaper reports of major incidents show that 1,037 people lost their lives in 76 suicide attacks in 2009. December saw the highest number of suicide attacks — 15 — which claimed 211 lives. On average nine lives were lost daily.
Although personnel of the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies, including police, Rangers and FC, were the main target of militants, civilians were also killed in suicide attacks on shopping centres, educational institutions, mosques and imambargahs.
The data show that 443 personnel of army and police lost their lives during military operations and terrorist attacks. Militants attacked a number of police stations, checkposts and offices of the FIA and ISI.
The most brazen attack was carried out by Taliban militants on the heavily-guarded GHQ in Rawalpindi on Oct 10. Six soldiers and four attackers were killed in the siege, which lasted almost 24 hours.
At least 42 people, a number of serving and retired army officers among them, were killed in two suicide blasts and gun attack on an army mosque near the GHQ on Dec 4.
The NWFP was the worst-hit province where more than 64 per cent of the terrorism-related incidents took place in 2009. About 2,133 people lost their lives in the province and 699 in Fata.
Punjab also remained in the grip of terrorism and 369 people were killed in different incidents. Two incidents of terrorism took place in Sindh, where 44 people died.
The data show that 35 people were killed in Balochistan, 29 in Islamabad and eight in Azad Kashmir.
The month-wise breakdown shows that May remained the bloodiest month of the year in which 1,120 people — 945 in the NWFP alone — were killed.
Data compiled through newspaper reports of major incidents show that 1,037 people lost their lives in 76 suicide attacks in 2009. December saw the highest number of suicide attacks — 15 — which claimed 211 lives. On average nine lives were lost daily.
Although personnel of the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies, including police, Rangers and FC, were the main target of militants, civilians were also killed in suicide attacks on shopping centres, educational institutions, mosques and imambargahs.
The data show that 443 personnel of army and police lost their lives during military operations and terrorist attacks. Militants attacked a number of police stations, checkposts and offices of the FIA and ISI.
The most brazen attack was carried out by Taliban militants on the heavily-guarded GHQ in Rawalpindi on Oct 10. Six soldiers and four attackers were killed in the siege, which lasted almost 24 hours.
At least 42 people, a number of serving and retired army officers among them, were killed in two suicide blasts and gun attack on an army mosque near the GHQ on Dec 4.
The NWFP was the worst-hit province where more than 64 per cent of the terrorism-related incidents took place in 2009. About 2,133 people lost their lives in the province and 699 in Fata.
Punjab also remained in the grip of terrorism and 369 people were killed in different incidents. Two incidents of terrorism took place in Sindh, where 44 people died.
The data show that 35 people were killed in Balochistan, 29 in Islamabad and eight in Azad Kashmir.
The month-wise breakdown shows that May remained the bloodiest month of the year in which 1,120 people — 945 in the NWFP alone — were killed.
It was in this month that the government launched a full-scale military operation in Swat, Buner and adjoining areas. The month also saw the highest number of military casualties — 135.
The Taliban targeted a number of prominent personalities, including elected representatives. Seven people, including Allama Sarfaraz Naeemi who was an outspoken opponent of the Taliban, were killed in suicide attacks.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi survived an attempt on his life in Islamabad on Sept 2.
The Awami National Party was the main target of the Taliban because of its open support for the military operation in Swat and Malakand. Two of its MPAs — Dr Shamsher Khan and Alamzeb Khan — lost their lives in terrorist attacks.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi survived an attempt on his life in Islamabad on Sept 2.
The Awami National Party was the main target of the Taliban because of its open support for the military operation in Swat and Malakand. Two of its MPAs — Dr Shamsher Khan and Alamzeb Khan — lost their lives in terrorist attacks.
Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Bilour survived an assassination attempt in Peshawar on March 11. Six people, including two suspected suicide attackers, were killed.
The Taliban blew up a shrine of the 17th century Sufi poet Rehman Baba in Peshawar.
The military claimed to have killed a number of important leaders of the Taliban and Al Qaeda during the operation in the NWFP and Fata. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a drone attack in August in South Waziristan.
A convoy of two buses carrying Sri Lankan cricketers and officials was attacked by 12 gunmen near the Qadhafi Stadium in Lahore on March 3. Six policemen and two civilians were killed.
Sindh, which remained in the grip of violence in 2007 and 2008, largely remained peaceful throughout 2009. But on Dec 28, it witnessed a major act of terror when 43 people were killed in a suspected suicide attack on an Ashura procession in Karachi.
The Taliban blew up a shrine of the 17th century Sufi poet Rehman Baba in Peshawar.
The military claimed to have killed a number of important leaders of the Taliban and Al Qaeda during the operation in the NWFP and Fata. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a drone attack in August in South Waziristan.
A convoy of two buses carrying Sri Lankan cricketers and officials was attacked by 12 gunmen near the Qadhafi Stadium in Lahore on March 3. Six policemen and two civilians were killed.
Sindh, which remained in the grip of violence in 2007 and 2008, largely remained peaceful throughout 2009. But on Dec 28, it witnessed a major act of terror when 43 people were killed in a suspected suicide attack on an Ashura procession in Karachi.
Tags: Pakistan,suicide attack,terrorism
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