Violence in Pakistan: Recent Attacks Raise Concerns

Recent Attacks and Escalating Tensions

Suicide Bombing in Islamabad

• Location: District court, Islamabad
• Casualties: 12 killed, 27 injured
• Details: Explosion near a police vehicle caused chaos in the busy court area.
• Suspected Culprits: Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies (alleged by interior minister).
• Investigation: Ongoing.

Thwarted Militant Attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Location: Army-run college, northwestern province
• Attackers: Suicide car bomber and five others
• Objective: Attempted to take cadets hostage
• Suspected Group: Pakistani Taliban (TTP), though they deny involvement.
• Area History: Known for housing militants, including al-Qaida and TTP.

Government Response

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, vowing to bring perpetrators to justice.
• Statement: Called the violence against civilians "reprehensible."

Rise in Militant Activity

• TTP Strength: Gained momentum since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
• Safe Havens: Many TTP leaders find refuge in Afghanistan.
• Deadliest Attack: 2014 Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, killing 154, mostly children.

Tensions with Afghanistan

• Recent Conflicts: Drone strikes and cross-border fighting led to a Qatar-brokered ceasefire.
• Stalled Peace Talks: Kabul refused to provide a written assurance against TTP and other militant groups using Afghan territory.
• Collapsed Ceasefire: Earlier truce between Pakistan and TTP failed after TTP accused Islamabad of violations.