DID Press: Data released by an Islamabad-based think tank shows that 2025 was the deadliest year in more than a decade for terrorism-related violence in Pakistan, with fatalities rising by nearly 73 percent compared with 2024.
According to figures compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), at least 3,387 people were killed in terrorist incidents during the year, the highest number recorded since the mid-2010s. While militants accounted for the largest share of the deaths — an estimated 2,115 — analysts say the sharp increase in casualties among security forces and civilians is particularly alarming.
The report indicates that 664 members of Pakistan’s security forces lost their lives, while 580 civilians were killed in attacks across the country. The majority of violent incidents occurred in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where suicide bombings and targeted assaults have intensified.
Much of the violence is attributed to the insurgency led by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as separatist groups operating in Balochistan. Security experts note that the complexity of the TTP threat is closely linked to strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistani officials alleging that many attackers either originate from Afghanistan or operate from Afghan territory — accusations the Taliban government in Kabul rejects.
Some Pakistani officials hope recent statements by senior Taliban leaders, calling for improved “goodwill” with Pakistan, could pave the way for closer cooperation against cross-border militancy. Analysts warn, however, that failure to address these concerns could further destabilize both countries.
In Balochistan, authorities have emphasized the need to complement security operations with political dialogue and reconciliation initiatives aimed at armed groups willing to abandon violence and respect the constitution. Observers argue that without a dual approach combining security measures and political engagement, long-term stability in the province will remain elusive.
Experts are also urging a broader review of Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy and clearer distinctions between political opposition and terrorist organizations. They caution that without internal security, economic recovery and foreign investment will be difficult to achieve.