Pakistan: Casualties of Violence Remained As High As 572 Died and 642 Were Injured During the Month of July
During the month of July, casualties of violence remained as high as 1214 (deaths 572 and injuries 642). Some new trends
in military operations and drone attacks also surfaced. Acts of violence kept demoralizing the population at large, and
humiliating the state security apparatus (Dera Ismail Khan jail break or attack on the ISI office in Sukkur, Sindh).
Highly noticeable was the combination of security operation and the drone attacks as both of them followed each other in
most of the times and inflicted serious blow to the militants. Contrary to the dithering political leadership, the
militant organizations demonstrated their determination, close coordination, and complete consensus as far as their
objective was concerned - to prick the state and its interests at will. (http://crss.pk/story/4635/monthly-report-july-2013/)
Amidst the unending reports of killings, destruction, and miseries one good news for this month was of Malala
Yousufzai's address at the UN Assembly on 11 July 2013 wherein the young girl from the militancy-hit Swat urged the
world community to "take up "the weapon of knowledge" in their campaign for access to education for all children around
the world." It was the day when Pakistan appeared on the world screen with a face that is quite contrary to the dreaded
images of bearded and truboned religious radical militants who are on a killing-spree across Pakistan. Ms Yousafzai's
appearance at the UN raised new hopes and aroused global sympathies for tens of thousands of Pakistani children,
particularly those whose schools were blown up by militants claiming to be the true followers of Islam. But these
moments of pride and happiness flowing from Malala's address to the United Nations were shortlived; , Taliban responded
in the same belligerent way and reiterated their resolve to target Malala Yousufzai ever returned to Pakistan[1]. No
voice of protest or condemnation came from any corner and the writ of extremism remained supreme in the country.
During the month of July, there was no let up in violent extremism, intolerance and lawlessness. The casualties of
violence during July also remained as high as 1214 (deaths 572 and injuries 642). Some new trends in military operations
and drone attacks also surfaced. Also, an inconspicuous nexus among different banned outfits also emerged as a sign of
new realignments for hitting the state and its interests.
Sporadic cases of people's resistance to violence and terrorism were also reported from some areas, though a large
number of Peace Lashkar members in tribal areas lost their lives to what we could presume target killings. In some cases
complicity of some rogue elements in the law enforcement forces – inside informants – was also discernible, explained
through several hostile exchanges between law enforcing agencies and militants/criminals, at times resulting in
shameful retreats by state forces such as the daring jail break in Dera Ismail Khan, a southern district of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, on July 30, raised serious questions about the preparedness of our security forces.
Please find here the link to visit the complete report; http://crss.pk/story/4635/monthly-report-july-2013/
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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia,
documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these
rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
ENDS