ISLAMABAD: Security forces managed to contain militant violence in September, but attacks in the first nine months of 2025 nearly matched the total recorded in all of 2024. If the trend continues, this year could be the deadliest in decades.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICS) and the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reported that militants carried out 21 attacks in Balochistan in September, killing 79 people, including 33 security personnel, eight militants and 38 civilians. Another 122 people were injured, among them 37 security personnel and 85 civilians. Militants also kidnapped 14 people.
Security forces launched seven major operations in the province, killing 26 militants and arresting 10. Sindh witnessed three attacks that left two security personnel dead and two civilians wounded.
PICS said militant activity dropped sharply in September, with 69 attacks nationwide compared to 143 in August—a 52 percent decline. Those attacks killed 135 people, including 61 security personnel, 54 civilians and 20 militants, and injured 173 others. Militants kidnapped at least 27 people.
The number of security personnel killed fell by 16 percent from August, while militant deaths dropped by 66 percent and civilian fatalities by 17 percent.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the hardest-hit province. Militants staged 45 attacks there, killing 54 people and wounding 49. Security forces intensified counter-terrorism operations, killing 88 militants and arresting five, but five security personnel also lost their lives.
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In central KP, 25 attacks killed 33 people, including 20 security personnel, nine militants and four civilians, while 42 others were injured. Militants kidnapped nine people.
In the tribal districts, militants launched 20 attacks that killed 21 people—six security personnel, three militants and 12 civilians—and wounded seven. They kidnapped four people. Security forces killed 83 militants in 18 operations but also caused 24 civilian deaths during the raids.
