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Militant Violence in Pakistan Declines by 32% in Q2 2025, Signaling Progress Amid Ongoing Challenges


Pakistan witnessed a significant 32 percent decline in overall violence during the second quarter of 2025, according to a comprehensive report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The report highlights promising trends in the country’s security landscape, including a sharp reduction in fatalities and enhanced effectiveness of counter-terrorism operations, while also raising concerns about the spread of militancy into previously calmer regions.


Between April and June 2025, Pakistan recorded 273 incidents of violence, including terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations, resulting in 615 fatalities- a notable decrease from 900 deaths in the first quarter. Injuries totaled 388 across civilians, security personnel, and militants. This decline reflects a concerted effort by state security forces to neutralize militant threats, with militants constituting over 54 percent of fatalities, indicating successful targeted operations.


The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, traditional hotspots of insurgency and separatist violence, accounted for over 94 percent of fatalities and 93 percent of violent incidents during the quarter. KP saw a 32 percent reduction in violence, with fatalities dropping from 567 to 389, while Balochistan experienced a 40 percent decrease, from 317 to 190 deaths. These improvements are attributed to proactive military campaigns aimed at hunting, neutralizing, and capturing militants, particularly targeting groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in KP and separatist militants in Balochistan.


Despite these gains, the report warns of troubling developments as militancy spreads into regions previously considered stable. Punjab province experienced a 162 percent increase in fatalities, rising from 8 in Q1 to 21 in Q2, although the absolute numbers remain relatively low. Similarly, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, which had no fatalities in the prior quarter, recorded six deaths, signaling emerging security concerns in the region. Islamabad and Sindh provinces remained largely unaffected by violence.


Civilians continue to bear the brunt of militant violence, being the most targeted group in terms of attacks and injuries. Out of 107 terror attacks, civilians were victims in the majority, suffering 249 injuries compared to 120 among security personnel. This pattern underscores militants’ strategy to instill fear and disrupt daily life rather than conducting precise strikes against military targets.


The report also notes a positive shift in the lethality and precision of counter-terrorism efforts. While militants suffered the highest fatalities, they incurred relatively fewer injuries, reflecting the effectiveness of state-led operations. The proportion of militant deaths surged to 55 percent in Q2 2025, up from an average of 35 percent in previous years, indicating intensified and successful campaigns against insurgents.


In conclusion, the CRSS report portrays a cautiously optimistic picture of Pakistan’s security situation. The 32 percent reduction in violence marks a significant step forward in the country’s ongoing struggle against militancy and internal unrest. However, the spread of violence into new areas and the continued targeting of civilians highlight the need for sustained vigilance, adaptive security strategies, and comprehensive policy responses to consolidate these gains and ensure long-term peace and stability.

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