Terrorism incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have declined by 65 percent following the launch of Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq in Afghanistan on the night between February 26 and 27 this year, according to official documents.
The data shows that prior to the operation, 240 terrorism-related incidents were reported in the province during the current year, while 80 incidents have been recorded since the operation began. The figures indicate a significant reduction in militant activity.
Official records further reveal that before the operation, the highest number of incidents in a single week reached 48 in the ninth week of the year. This number dropped to 12 incidents by the twelfth week following the operation. In the tenth and eleventh weeks, 42 and 29 incidents were reported respectively. Overall, 323 terrorism incidents have been reported in the province this year.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, speaking to private TV, said that targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan had contributed to the decline in terrorism. He added that the government remains committed to eliminating terrorism from the country.
He stated that masterminds involved in attacks in Islamabad, Bannu and other areas were eliminated during Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq. He also noted that several dangerous militants using Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan were neutralised, and that the interim Afghan government had been informed about the presence of banned militant group TTP and its safe havens.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah said that the operation has had a positive impact on the law and order situation in the province. He said operations against militants would continue and credited the reduction in incidents to the performance of the Pakistan Army, police, and other law enforcement agencies.