Punjab on high alert amid rising terrorist attacks

Punjab authorities have put the province on high alert after a significant rise in terrorist incidents in other parts of Pakistan. The decision came after the recent terror attack against Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which caused the death of 5 soldiers and 13 civilians. A spokesperson from Punjab police also said that various counterterrorism operations are underway across the province. At least 123 suspects and 38 proclaimed offenders were arrested, and 12 guns, 2 Kalashnikov rifles, and a huge amount of ammunition were seized during police search and sweep actions.
Pakistan is facing a sharp increase in terrorist attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Bordering provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been particularly affected, with many actions against law enforcement and security forces. Daesh is also representing a growing threat to the country. Recently, Pakistani authorities captured group commander Mohammad Sharifullah alias Jaffar, accused of the 2021 attacks against US troops at Kabul airport, and handed him over to Washington as a sign of cooperation in the war against terrorism. According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), 74 militant attacks have been recorded nationwide since the beginning of this year, resulting in 91 fatalities and over 100 injured. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are the worst-hit provinces. In the former, there were 27 attacks in settled districts and 19 in tribal areas, with over 20 deaths among security forces.