Pakistan experienced a significant increase in terrorist attacks during the sacred month of Ramadan, which is a cause for concern, reported the Institute for Peace Studies.

Ramadan this year saw a minimum of 84 assaults, as opposed to 26 attacks during the same period last year, according to the report, which was published on March 31.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are among the militant groups that have posed a growing threat, which has caused an increase in violence. While the BLA has considerably improved its operational capabilities, the TTP unilaterally terminated its ceasefire agreement with the government in November 2022, resulting in a significant increase in large-scale attacks.

A train hijacking in Balochistan on March 11, which resulted in the fatalities of at least 25 individuals, was one of the most horrifying incidents. This assault was claimed by the BLA, underscoring the growing sophistication and influence of these organisations.

Another research organisation, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), also reported a substantial increase in violence. Based on their findings, the number of assaults registered in the first three weeks of Ramadan alone surpassed the total of 60 attacks during the entire month of last year. The report also claimed that 56 security personnel were slain between March 2 and March 20, which is the highest death toll for security forces in more than a decade.

Abdullah Khan, the Managing Director of PICSS and a security analyst, cautioned that militant alliances were intensifying, contributing to the heightened volatility of the situation. "Various militant factions have initiated co-operation." According to him, the faction commanded by Hafiz Gul Bahadur is demonstrating an even greater level of lethality than the TTP in certain regions.

Furthermore, he noted that prohibited organisations, including Lashkar-e-Islam, which is notably active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are also experiencing a resurgence. Pakistan has accused the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on numerous occasions of harbouring such organisations, with the claim that their activities have intensified since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. These allegations have been refuted by Kabul, however.