Attacks, clashes in Pakistan claim 3,448 lives in 2007: PIPS

The security situation in Pakistan remained highly unsatisfactory as terrorist attacks continued throughout 2007, resulting in 3,448 deaths from 1,503 attacks and clashes.

Lahore, Jan 5 : The security situation in Pakistan remained "highly unsatisfactory" as terrorist attacks continued throughout 2007, resulting in 3,448 deaths from 1,503 attacks and clashes.

The assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto and continued attacks on army personnel question the effectiveness of the security forces, the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) has said in its security report for 2007.

The report states that around 1,503 attacks and clashes took place in 2007, leaving 3,448 people dead and 5,353 injured.

These casualties figure are 128 per cent and 491.7 per cent higher as compared to 2006 and 2005, respectively.

It states that the sharp increase in terrorist attacks proves that the country's security is rapidly deteriorating.

The report says that the security forces are facing direct threats from the terrorists and looking helpless.

This helplessness was proven during 2007 with the deaths of 232 soldiers, 163 paramilitary troops and 71 policemen in terrorist attacks.

The report states that Pakistan faced 60 suicide attacks (mostly targeted at security forces) during 2007, which killed at least 770, besides injuring another 1,574 people.

There was a visible increase in suicide attacks during and after the Lal Masjid operation, the report says.

In July alone, 15 suicide attacks were reported in NWFP, Islamabad and Punjab, killing 191 and injuring another 366.

The report states that as many as 12 political clashes took place during 2007, resulting in 64 deaths and 64 injuries.

According to PIPS, the lack of a security operation in the Tribal Areas has increased the risk of increased infiltration of militants into Afghanistan, besides increasing risk to the country itself.

The threat of enhanced 'targeted' suicide attacks on political and security forces also remains intact, as no investigations in any suicide attack have ever been completed, it adds.

The political unrest, if prevails, may consolidate the militant outfits in FATA and NWFP, and encourage the nationalist insurgents in Balochistan and Sindh, the Daily Times quoted the PIPS report, as saying.

ANI