Contaminated by: antipersonnel mines (extent unknown), antivehicle mines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs)

Contamination

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan remains heavily affected by mines and other ordnance from the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1979–1989) and three wars with India, as well as from more recent and continuing conflicts in areas bordering Afghanistan, including, in particular, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

In 2015, Pakistan reiterated past statements that it “faces no problem of uncleared mines.” It again acknowledged that the army laid mines on its eastern border with India during an escalation of tensions in 2001–2002, but stated those mines were all cleared and the army has not laid any more since then.[1] It has, though, reported continued IED attacks, including improvised antipersonnel mines and antivehicle mines.[2] Pakistani NGOs have reported that, in earlier years, mines and other explosive devices caused hundreds of casualties every year, mostly among civilians.[3]

Program Management

Pakistan has no formal civilian mine action program. Pakistani military engineering units are believed to be responsible for mine clearance in conflict zones, while the Frontier Constabulary has said it conducts mine clearance in contaminated areas of Baluchistan, FATA, and other conflict zones in the North-West Frontier Province.[4]

Land Release

There are no reports of formal land release in 2015. Pakistan reported attacks using IEDs and antipersonnel and antivehicle mines “all over the country” and said that in 2015 the Army destroyed 1,429 antipersonnel mines.[5]

The Monitor gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Mine Action Review supported and published by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which conducted mine action research in 2016 and shared it with the Monitor. The Monitor is responsible for the findings presented online and in its print publications.