Security Forces Put Militants on Back Foot with Targeted Actions in September

WNAM REPORT: Militant violence in Pakistan dropped significantly in September 2025, with both the number of attacks and militant capacity showing sharp declines compared to the record levels seen in August, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The PICSS Militancy Database recorded 69 militant attacks in September—a 52 percent reduction from August’s 143 incidents. These attacks resulted in 135 deaths and 173 injuries, while militants abducted at least 27 people.
Fatalities included 61 security personnel, 20 militants, and 54 civilians. Among the injured were 74 security personnel and 99 civilians. Compared with August, deaths of security personnel declined by 16 percent, militant fatalities by 66 percent, and civilian deaths by 17 percent, reflecting a notable decrease in lethality.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected province, but also witnessed intensified counterterrorism actions. The province reported 45 attacks that killed 54 people and injured 49. In mainland KP, 25 attacks caused 33 deaths—20 security personnel, nine militants, and four civilians—while 42 people were injured. Militants kidnapped nine individuals. Security forces carried out 22 operations in mainland KP, killing 88 militants, though five personnel lost their lives and five militants were arrested. In the tribal districts (erstwhile FATA), 20 militant attacks killed 21 people—six security personnel, three militants, and 12 civilians—and injured seven. Militants also abducted four people. Security forces conducted 18 operations in these districts, killing 83 militants. However, 24 civilians also lost their lives during these actions, underlining the risks of counterterrorism operations in populated areas.
In Balochistan, 21 attacks claimed 79 lives—33 security personnel, eight militants, and 38 civilians—and injured 122 others, including 37 security personnel and 85 civilians. Militants abducted 14 people. Security forces responded with seven major operations, killing 26 militants and arresting 10.
Sindh experienced three attacks that killed two security personnel and injured two civilians.
Overall, security forces conducted 47 notable operations across the country in September, killing 197 militants. Seven security personnel were killed and five injured in these actions. Compared to August, militant deaths in operations surged by 97 percent, showing intensified counterterrorism activity.
Taking both militant attacks and security operations into account, at least 332 people were killed in September, including 217 militants, 68 security personnel, and 47 civilians. Another 231 were injured, among them 81 security personnel, 100 civilians, and 50 militants. The nearly doubled militant fatalities and decline in security forces’ deaths compared to August indicate shifting momentum in favor of security forces.
During the third quarter of 2025, Pakistan saw 294 militant attacks, a 20 percent increase from the 245 in the previous quarter. These incidents caused 430 deaths—a 45 percent rise from 297 fatalities in the second quarter—and 554 injuries, up 14 percent. Security forces also expanded operations, conducting 123 compared to 110 in the previous quarter. These actions killed 462 militants, up from 315, while 105 were arrested, slightly fewer than the 124 in the second quarter.
The figures highlight that while militant threats remain, the sharp fall in attacks in September and the surge in militant fatalities demonstrate that security forces have put militant groups under growing pressure through sustained, targeted operations mainly in KP.