Pakistan Ranks 7th Globally in Civilian Casualties from Explosive Weapons in 2024: AOAV Report

London/Islamabad –: Pakistan has been ranked seventh globally for civilian casualties caused by explosive weapons in 2024, according to a damning new report by UK-based monitor Action on Armed Violence (AOAV). The year was labelled the deadliest for civilians since the organization began its Explosive Violence Monitoring Project in 2010.

Globally, AOAV recorded 67,026 casualties from explosive weapons last year, including 59,524 civilians—accounting for 89% of the total. Civilian deaths stood at 24,147. The report revealed that explosive violence incidents worldwide surged by 29% compared to 2023, with civilian casualties increasing by 69% and civilian deaths by 50%.

Pakistan: Spike in Attacks, Shift in Casualty Trends

In Pakistan, AOAV documented 790 civilian casualties, including 210 deaths, across 248 incidents—a 14% rise in attacks from the previous year. While overall civilian casualties dropped by 9% from 2023, fatalities fell 16%. However, Pakistan recorded the highest number of explosive incidents since 2014 and the second-highest civilian toll since 2018.

Non-state actors were responsible for 76% of all civilian casualties in the country. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) emerged as a key perpetrator, causing 119 civilian casualties—an alarming 440% increase from 2023. Unknown non-state actors were linked to over half of all civilian casualties, though their impact declined compared to the previous year.

Daesh Khorasan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also saw significant decreases in attributed casualties, indicating shifting dynamics among militant groups.

IEDs and Suicide Bombings: Persistent Threats

Pakistan recorded the world’s second-highest civilian toll from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), with 485 casualties (139 deaths) across 132 incidents. Though civilian casualties from IEDs fell 30%, the number of attacks rose by 8%.

Suicide bombings also declined sharply, with just nine recorded attacks causing 103 civilian casualties (21 deaths)—the lowest figure since 2021. The BLA carried out two of these attacks but was responsible for 89% of the resulting civilian harm.

Ground-Launched Weapons and Regional Impact

The AOAV reported a steep 54% rise in casualties from ground-launched weapons in Pakistan, which caused 217 civilian injuries and deaths—27% of the national total.

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain the most affected regions. In the latest incident, a powerful explosion—allegedly carried out by India-backed militants—targeted a school bus in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, killing at least six people, including four students, and injuring dozens more.

Read more: Blast near PPP MPA’s convoy in Quetta leaves one dead, 10 injured

Pakistan Vows “Decisive” Response

Condemning the Khuzdar attack, the Pakistani government blamed the militant group “Fitna al-Hindustan” and pledged a “decisive” response. Officials warned that such acts of terrorism would not derail the country’s resolve to maintain national security and stability.

As Pakistan continues to battle rising violence amid a volatile regional landscape, the AOAV report underscores the urgent need for enhanced counter-terrorism measures, regional cooperation, and investment in civilian protection.