Pakistan Faces Escalating Security Crisis as Terror Attacks Surge

Pakistan is witnessing an unprecedented rise in terror attacks, with insurgent groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) launching a series of high-profile strikes against the military. The latest incidents have exposed the deepening security crisis in the country, with experts warning that Islamabad's decades-old policy of supporting militant groups may now be backfiring.

Train Hijacking and Military Convoy Attack

Last week, the BLA hijacked an entire train in Balochistan, an operation that demonstrated their growing boldness. Just days later, on Sunday, the group struck again, targeting a Pakistani military convoy in Nushki. According to the BLA, the attack resulted in 90 Pakistani soldiers killed, though official reports claim five deaths and 30 injuries. The attack involved a truck packed with explosives, which was driven into the convoy, marking one of the most daring assaults on the Pakistani military in recent years.

Militant Groups Emboldened by Taliban Rule

Pakistan’s security forces are struggling to contain the growing insurgency, with military officials caught off guard by the sophistication of these attacks. The resurgence of violence has been linked to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Since then, groups like the BLA and TTP have been receiving shelter and weapons from across the Afghan border, further fueling instability in Pakistan.

This shift in power dynamics has drawn comparisons to Pakistan’s own long-standing policy of harboring militant groups for strategic purposes. Now, the very tactics once employed by Islamabad against India appear to be turning against them.

The Alarming Rise in Terror Attacks

The numbers paint a grim picture of Pakistan's escalating security crisis. In 2021, the country witnessed 403 terror attacks, which surged to 512 in 2022. The violence intensified further in 2023, with 789 attacks recorded, and in 2024, the number skyrocketed to 1,116. This alarming trend marks the highest level of violence in almost a decade, highlighting the growing instability and suggesting that Pakistan’s security apparatus is struggling to maintain control over the situation.

Government Response and Strategic Failures

The Pakistani government is now preparing for a high-level parliamentary session to address the crisis. While a crackdown is expected, experts argue that military force alone may not be enough. Pakistan’s existing counterterrorism framework, the National Action Plan (NAP), has been ineffective due to three key problems:

1. Lack of Global Support: Pakistan’s credibility on counterterrorism efforts is weak. Islamabad’s past duplicity—playing both sides in the fight against terror—has left international allies hesitant to provide assistance.

2. Selective Targeting of Militants: Pakistan has historically distinguished between “good” and “bad” terrorists, allowing certain groups to operate against India while cracking down on others. This double standard has hindered long-term counterterrorism success.

3. Economic Struggles: The country’s failing economy has left little room for non-military anti-terror measures such as job creation, infrastructure development, and deradicalization programs.

With rising extremism and a faltering economy, Pakistan’s security situation appears to be spiraling out of control. Experts warn that unless Islamabad takes a firm and consistent stance against all forms of terrorism, it risks further destabilization. The very policies that once fueled Pakistan’s strategic ambitions are now threatening its own survival.