Explosive Violence 2024: Pakistan Ranks 7th Worldwide for Civilian Casualties
Islamabad, May 25 — Pakistan ended 2024 as the world’s seventh-worst country for civilian harm caused by explosive weapons, with 790 civilian casualties recorded — including 210 killed and 580 injured — across 248 incidents. This marks the most volatile year for such attacks in Pakistan since 2014.
The six countries with higher casualty numbers were Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan, Myanmar, and Syria — all regions experiencing large-scale wars or internal conflicts. Pakistan’s ranking means it suffered more civilian explosive casualties in 2024 than countries such as Russia, Yemen, or Afghanistan.
Although total casualties dropped by nine percent from 2023, the number of incidents rose by eleven percent, pointing to more frequent, though slightly less lethal, attacks. This ongoing pattern strains security resources and keeps the civilian population in a near-constant state of alert.
Approximately 76 percent of Pakistan’s civilian casualties were caused by non-state actors. Among them, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was responsible for 119 casualties — a 440 percent increase from 2023 — as the group expanded its campaign beyond its traditional areas. Other militant groups such as the Islamic State affiliate in the region and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also contributed to the violence.
Pakistan ranks second globally for civilian casualties caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), with 485 casualties reported in 132 incidents. These attacks pose a continuous threat to both security forces and civilian populations, often occurring on roadsides, in vehicles, or via suicide bombings.
Globally, explosive weapons caused over 67,000 deaths and injuries in 2024, the highest toll in over a decade. Civilians accounted for roughly 89 percent of those harmed worldwide. Increasing urbanization, prolonged conflicts, and easier access to weapon-making knowledge have all contributed to this rise.
In Pakistan, the surge in violence is linked to overlapping insurgencies: a religiously motivated campaign by TTP in the northwest and a nationalist movement led by Baloch militants in the southwest. Both exploit porous borders, limited policing in rural areas, and political instability to carry out attacks.
Experts warn that unless political reconciliation and socio-economic investments accompany security operations, civilian casualties are unlikely to decline significantly. Strengthening civilian protection, improving rapid medical response, and targeted campaigns against militant groups will be critical for reducing harm in 2025.
0 Comments