The year 2023 saw a string of horrific terrorist attacks that shattered the fabric of human coexistence and rocked societies all over the world.
Beyond the visible destruction, terrorism serves as a reminder of the deep and long-lasting damage it causes to the very foundation of humanity. This article explores the disturbing details of the worst terror attacks of 2023, shedding light on the tragic events and emphasizing the categorical rejection of actions that go against the core values of kindness and peace.
1. Hamas terrorists attack on Israel
On October 7, over 1,000 Hamas fighters breached southern Israel through nearly 30 points in the country’s border wall with Gaza. Some of them raided a music festival where over 3500 people were present while others carried out door to door assaults in Kibbutz Be’eri, Kfar aza towns of Israel. Over 1200 people killed in Israel while over 5400 were injured.
The terrorists also took about 240 hostages, who it said were hidden in “tunnels” within Gaza. Israel said more than 30 of the hostages were children, and at least 10 were aged over 60. It also said about half of the hostages had foreign passports from 25 different countries.
The attack provoked Israel to launch a full-scale invasion of Gaza strip where in 79 days, over 12000 people have died so far including women children and elderly citizens.
2. Suicide Bombing in Pakistan mosque
On January 30th, a suicide attacker detonated a bomb during afternoon prayers inside a mosque in the Police Lines area killing at least 84 people and injuring over 200 in Peshawar, Pakistan. A significant number of casualties were police officers.
The attacks were part of the insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also known as the War in North-West Pakistan or Pakistan’s war on terror. It is an ongoing armed conflict involving Pakistan and Islamist militant groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jundallah, Lashkar-e-Islam (LeI), TNSM, al-Qaeda, and their Central Asian allies such as the ISIL–Khorasan (ISIL), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, East Turkistan Movement, Emirate of Caucasus, and elements of organized crime.
3. Suicide Bombing in Pakistan
On July 30th, A suicide bomb at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) rally in Khar, Bajaur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killed at least 63 people and injured over 200 others. This attack was against part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa insurgency.
The ISIL (ISIS) armed group claimed responsibility for the attack on a gathering of supporters of JUI-F, which is headed by Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
4. Suicide Bombing in Baluchistan
On September 29th, a series of Suicide bombs detonated during the procession of the Islamic holiday of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi in southwestern city of Mastung, Balochistan Province, Pakistan. Islamic States (IS) were suspected for executing this terror attack that killed over 60 people and injured 70 others. One of the blast occurred inside a mosque causing the roof of the mosque to collapse.
5. Arson, Stabbing inside Ugandan School
On June 16th, militants from Allied Democratic Forces attacked a secondary boarding school in Mpondwe, Uganda with petrol bombs and machetes killing at least 42 people, including 38 students, who were burned, shot, or hacked to death. At least six people were abducted by the rebels, who fled across the porous border into the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the grisly raid.
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) has been operating from bases in the unstable eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for years and has ties to ISIL (ISIS). It was the deadliest attack on Uganda since the al-Shabab group, based in Somalia, claimed responsibility for the twin bombings that killed 76 people in Kampala in 2010.
6. Police Station attacked in Pakistan
On December 12th, a police station in Daraban was attacked by terrorists who rammed a vehicle laden with explosives followed by a suicide bomb and mass shooting. One of the terrorist blew himself up. Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack. Over 23 people were killed while 34 other injured.
7. Suicide bombing at Afghanistan’s foreign ministry offices
On January 11, a suicide attacker detonated a bomb outside the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan killing over 20 and injuring unaccounted number of people. The bomber reportedly had planned to enter the foreign ministry but failed. Nobody claimed the responsibility of the attack however Taliban was widely blamed.