According to Australia’s Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP)’s Global Terrorism Index 2023 report, Afghanistan and Pakistan have the highest rates of terrorist incidents in South Asia.
The report, summarized on the website of the Nepali newspaper, The Himalayan, attributes the escalation of terrorism in the region to the emergence of ISKP and the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as the rise of terrorist groups in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province.
“The threat of terrorism in the region has escalated in recent years, with the emergence of the offshoots of the Islamic State (IS) and the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as the rise of terrorist groups in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province.” The report read.
Further details on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan have not been published.
IEP’s Global Terrorism Index 2023 ranks Nepal 36th with a score of 4.13, indicating that the country has suffered a medium impact from terrorism. The report also highlights that Nepal is at risk of being used as a safe haven for terrorists.
According to the report, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives have also experienced terrorism sporadically, Afghanistan and Pakistan top the list.
This comes as the Taliban has been ruling over Afghanistan for more than one and a half years, and Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has increased attacks against the Pakistani army and police during this period.
