Post-Balakot: Pakistan's Continued Concealment of Soldier Casualties
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As India commemorates the Balakot airstrikes' sixth anniversary, Pakistan remains in denial about the casualties from the operation and continues to hide its losses amid a severe security crisis due to terrorism. Reports reveal significant military casualties and a troubling pattern of underreporting by Pakistan's military officials.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan is in denial about Balakot airstrike casualties.
- In 2024, 685 security personnel were killed in violence.
- ISPR has underreported military casualties extensively.
- India's counterterrorism efforts contrast sharply with Pakistan's struggles.
- Pakistan's security crisis is exacerbated by political and economic instability.
New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) As India commemorates the sixth anniversary of the Balakot airstrikes this Wednesday, Pakistan remains in a state of denial regarding the number of terrorists eliminated during the operation. The country also continues to obscure the casualties it has incurred due to the very terror infrastructure it developed, which has now turned against it.
Unreported casualties highlight Pakistan's deceptive narrative that no significant incidents occurred.
Currently, Pakistan is grappling with its most severe security crisis in over a decade. In 2024, it experienced a spike in violence, resulting in the deaths of at least 685 security personnel amid a staggering total of 444 terror attacks.
The year 2024 has emerged as the deadliest year for both civil and military security forces in Pakistan over the last ten years. A report from the Director General Inter Service Public Relations (DGISPR) has disclosed that Pakistan endured 2,546 fatalities due to violence and 2,267 injuries among civilians, security forces, and criminals. The overall casualties in 2024 reached a total of 4,813.
This casualty count arose from 1,166 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations, marking a dire year for the security landscape in Pakistan.
The number of terror attacks targeting security personnel and civilians greatly exceeded the security operations against criminals, with a ratio of nearly four to one—909 terror attacks compared to 257 operations. However, the casualty figures for the Pakistan Army were grossly understated in official reports.
In a bid to safeguard their reputation and keep the public uninformed, officials failed to disclose the true number of casualties.
Despite the significant loss of life, Pakistan continues to conceal the deaths of its personnel. Recent intelligence reports have begun to unveil Pakistan's deception.
Investigations indicate that 685 Pakistani security personnel lost their lives in 2024 amidst the unprecedented 444 terror attacks. At least 264 incidents went unreported by Pakistani officials, many of which resulted in the deaths of numerous Army personnel.
Pakistani Army officials have faced fatal attacks in regions such as Waziristan, Sheikhpura, Lahore, North Waziristan, Balochistan, South Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, Duki, the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border, the Kashmir border, the Ghazanli Border, Khyber, and the Sialkot Sector.
The ISPR has intentionally underreported military casualties, effectively masking the actual scale of losses endured by the armed forces.
In contrast, India's decisive counterterrorism actions following the Pulwama attack, culminating in the Balakot airstrike, highlight Pakistan's current security chaos.
The deterioration of security in Pakistan can be traced back to a weak military response, political instability, economic collapse, and inconsistent approaches to terrorism.
In light of Pakistan's deteriorating security environment, India remains resolute in adhering to the Balakot Doctrine, enhancing its border security and counterterrorism initiatives.
Internal documents reveal that the Pakistani Army has a troubling history of underreporting casualties dating back to Kargil, perpetuating a culture of deception that undermines the dignity of soldiers and erodes institutional credibility.
The DGISPR has little credibility to start with; however, denying the deaths of soldiers not only disrespects their sacrifice but also denies future generations the truth about the destruction incurred, the report concludes.
