January 26 to February 1, 2013: political violence claims 73 lives

Seventy-three people were killed in 43 incidents of political violence between January 26 and February 1, 2013, while another 20 were injured and one kidnapped. Civilians remained the most affected, constituting 77 percent of the total victims, a 14 percent increase from the last week's 63 percent. The fatalities of security forces dropped from 30 percent to 9 percent, while those of militants went up from 7 percent to 14 percent.
Compared to the last week, the number of incidents increased from 27 to 43. The number of those also increased, going up from 39 to 73. Twenty people were injured in these incidents, down from the preceding week's 21. Region-wise, 38 people were killed in Sindh and four injured in target killings, sectarian violence and attacks on political party workers and leaders. In Balochistan, 21 people were killed in target killings, terrorism incidents and tribal conflicts, while 16 were injured and one killed in sectarian violence and another kidnapped in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A counter-terrorism operation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) killed 13 militants.
This week, target killings claimed the most lives, with 25 people being gunned down in Karachi in various incidents. Terror activities were the second most violent, with 13 terrorism incidents across Pakistan killing 16 people and injuring 18 others. Four attacks each targeted state security forces, public and property, while one was aimed at polio workers. Those against property were an attack each on a government-run school in Khyber Agency, office of the Deputy Election Commissioner in Khuzdar, office of the National Database and Registration Authority in Qilla Abdullah, and a high transmission line in Charsadda.
Another seven people were killed in Karachi in attacks on political party leaders and workers. Gunmen shot dead three workers each of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Sunni Tehreek (ST). A worker of the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians was also shot dead.
Elsewhere, a counter-terrorism operation in Orakzai Agency killed 13 militants. An incident of tribal conflict claimed six lives in Dera Bugti in Balochistan, while an ethno-political attack in Karachi left a member of an action committee dead. Five more people were killed in five incidents of sectarian violence. Another two were injured in these incidents and one kidnapped.
The use of guns/firearms remained the most lethal tactic, killing 52 people and injuring 14 others. Improvised explosive devices (IED), used in four instances, killed three people and injured two others. A landmine explosion left five people dead, while another incident of missile/mortar attack injured four.
Thirteen militants were killed in a jet bombing. In Quetta, four people were killed in target killings and terrorism incidents, while four were injured in Hangu in a terrorist missile/mortar attack on a house. Lastly, one person was kidnapped from Peshawar in a sectarian incident.