Sectarian violence in Pakistan refers to attacks and counter-attacks against people and places in Pakistan motivated by antagonism toward the target's sect, usually a religious group. These attacks are carried out by different Sunni and Shia terrorist groups. Targets in Pakistan include the Shia, Barelvi Sunnis, Deobandi Sunnis, Sufis, and the small groups of Deobandis. As many as 4,000 people are estimated to have been killed by sectarian attacks in Pakistan between 1987–2007. And since 2008 "thousands of Shia" have been killed by Sunni extremists according to the human rights group Human Rights Watch. One significant aspect of the attacks on Sunni and Shia in Pakistan is that militants often target worshipping places (Masjid) during prayers in order to maximize fatalities and to "emphasize the religious dimensions of their attack", 2004 have been one of the blodiest year for Shias who saw many of their Mosque being the target of such attacks .Human Rights Watch also states that in 2011 and 2012 Pakistan minority groups Hindus, Ahmadi, and Christians "faced unprecedented insecurity and persecution in the country". Attacks on Sufi shrines by Salafis have also been reported. Among those blamed for the sectarian violence in the country are mainly Extremist militant groups, such as the Sipah-e-Muhammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan,Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, (affiliates of ), Jundallah (affiliates of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). "has claimed responsibility for most attacks" on Sunni according to Human Rights Watch. Extremist Sunni militant groups are also blamed for attacks on Shias, Barelvis and Sufis. .
Sectarian violence in Pakistan refers to attacks and counter-attacks against people and places in Pakistan motivated by antagonism toward the target's sect, usually a religious group. These attacks are carried out by different Sunni and Shia terrorist groups. Targets in Pakistan include the Shia, Barelvi Sunnis, Deobandi Sunnis, Sufis, and the small groups of Deobandis. As many as 4,000 people are estimated to have been killed by sectarian attacks in Pakistan between 1987–2007. And since 2008 "thousands of Shia" have been killed by Sunni extremists according to the human rights group Human Rights Watch. One significant aspect of the attacks on Sunni and Shia in Pakistan is that militants often target worshipping places (Masjid) during prayers in order to maximize fatalities and to "emphasi