Despite security forces maintaining pressure on militant groups in September, the first three quarters of 2025 have already witnessed nearly as much violence as the entire year of 2024, raising fears that the current year could prove to be among the deadliest in decades.
According to reports released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) and the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), militant violence showed a significant decline in September compared to record levels in August. Yet, the cumulative figures for 2025 paint a grim picture.
PICSS data showed that militants carried out 69 attacks in September, marking a 52 percent drop from 143 attacks in August. The violence resulted in 135 deaths and 173 injuries, while militants abducted at least 27 individuals. Among those killed were 61 security personnel, 54 civilians and 20 militants, while 74 security officials and 99 civilians were among the injured. Compared to August, fatalities of security forces fell by 16 percent, militant deaths by 66 percent and civilian deaths by 17 percent, reflecting a notable decrease in casualties.
Provincial Breakdown
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected province but also saw intensified counterterrorism operations. The province witnessed 45 attacks in September, claiming 54 lives and leaving 49 wounded. In the settled districts, 25 attacks killed 33 people — including 20 security personnel, 9 militants and 4 civilians while 42 others were injured. Militants abducted 9 people, whereas security forces conducted 22 operations, killing 88 militants and arresting 5, at the cost of 5 security officials martyred.
In the tribal districts (former FATA), 20 militant attacks left 21 dead, including 6 security officials, 3 militants and 12 civilians, and 7 injured. Militants abducted 4 individuals, while security forces launched 18 operations, killing 83 militants and arresting 5. However, 24 civilians also lost their lives in these operations.
Balochistan suffered 21 militant attacks in which 79 people were killed — including 33 security personnel, 38 civilians and 8 militants — while 122 others were wounded. Militants abducted 14 individuals. Security forces responded with 7 major operations, killing 26 militants and arresting 10.
Sindh recorded only 3 attacks, which left 2 security personnel dead and 2 civilians injured.
CRSS Findings
Meanwhile, CRSS reported that Pakistan saw a 46 percent surge in violence during the third quarter of 2025. Between July and September, at least 901 people were killed and 599 wounded in 329 incidents of violence. The victims included civilians, security personnel and criminals.
According to the report, “in just three quarters, 2025 has already proven nearly as deadly as the entirety of 2024.” So far this year, 2,414 fatalities have been documented, compared to 2,546 in all of 2024. With one full quarter still remaining, the data indicates that 2025 could surpass last year’s death toll and rank among the most lethal years in more than a decade.
