Pakistan witnessed a sharp rise in militant violence in 2025, with terrorist attacks increasing by 34% and terrorism-related fatalities up 21%, according to the “Pakistan Security Report 2025” released by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).
A total of 699 terrorist incidents were recorded nationwide, resulting in 1,034 deaths and 1,366 injuries, underscoring a persistent surge in militancy since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
The burden of violence disproportionately fell on security personnel, who accounted for over 42% of terrorism-related fatalities, with 437 army, police, and paramilitary personnel killed. Civilians were also heavily affected, with 354 non-combatants losing their lives.
Meanwhile, 243 militants died during attacks or in retaliatory operations by security forces. Over 95% of the attacks were concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, highlighting the regionalized nature of the conflict.
KP experienced a 40% increase in terrorist incidents, totaling 413 attacks that caused 581 deaths and 698 injuries. Groups like the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) carried out more frequent and complex operations, including coordinated assaults across 11 districts on Independence Day.
Balochistan recorded 254 militant attacks, resulting in 419 deaths and 607 injuries, with insurgents like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) adopting high-impact, coordinated operations targeting highways, state symbols, and infrastructure.
In Sindh, 21 terrorist attacks occurred, including 16 in Karachi, resulting in 14 fatalities and 17 injuries. Punjab witnessed seven attacks, causing five deaths and two injuries.
A suicide blast outside the Islamabad judicial complex killed 12 people, claimed by Jamaatul Ahrar, a TTP faction. Gilgit-Baltistan reported three attacks, killing three security personnel and injuring six others.
The report highlights evolving militant tactics, the targeting of state defenders, and the continued threat to civilians, emphasizing that the security landscape in Pakistan remains fragile with complex regional dynamics.
