ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): Militants in Pakistan suffered their heaviest losses in ten years during October 2025 as security forces intensified counter-militancy operations across multiple regions, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
The monthly statistics released by PICSS show that 458 people were killed during the month, including 355 militants, 72 members of security forces, 30 civilians and one member of a pro-government peace committee. Another 162 people were injured — 92 security personnel, 48 civilians and 22 militants. Security forces arrested 22 suspected militants, while militants kidnapped 55 people, the highest monthly figure of abductions in a decade.
The PICSS Militancy Database recorded a 29 percent rise in militant attacks — from 69 in September to 89 in October — though overall human losses in these attacks declined by 19 percent. A total of 109 people were killed in militant-initiated violence, including 55 security personnel, 29 civilians, 24 militants and one peace committee member. These attacks also left 134 people injured, including 88 security personnel, 45 civilians and one militant.
Balochistan witnessed 23 militant attacks in October compared to 21 in September, but casualties dropped sharply from 79 to 27. Among the dead were 16 security personnel, eight militants and three civilians. The number of injured fell from 122 to 36, including 15 security personnel, 20 civilians and one militant. However, 31 people, mostly labourers, were kidnapped by militants during the month. Security forces killed 67 militants in various operations — the highest monthly militant death toll in the province since 2002, when the current wave of militancy began. PICSS described this as a notable improvement in the province’s security situation, pointing to a 92 percent decline in civilian deaths and a 52 percent drop in security personnel fatalities.
In the tribal belt (erstwhile FATA), 22 militant attacks were recorded — the same as in September — but casualties increased significantly. Thirty-one people were killed, including 18 security forces personnel and 13 civilians, while 45 were injured, including 32 security personnel and 13 civilians. Militants also kidnapped 18 people from the region. PICSS noted a 200 percent rise in security personnel deaths, up from six to 18, and a 48 percent overall rise in fatalities. Security operations in the area killed 209 militants — the highest single-month militant death toll since November 2014. Sixteen security personnel were also killed in these operations, including during the deadliest incident in Orakzai district, which led to border tensions with Afghanistan. The institute confirmed that security forces also eliminated Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s former deputy emir and shadow defence minister, Qari Amjad, in Bajaur — the most high-profile TTP death since the group’s inception in 2007.
Mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw 37 militant attacks in October compared to 25 in September, resulting in 48 deaths — 21 security personnel, 10 civilians, 16 militants and one peace committee member. Forty-two people were injured, including 35 security personnel and seven civilians. Four people were kidnapped by militants. Security operations killed 55 militants, while one security forces personnel lost his life. PICSS data shows militant deaths in operations dropped from 88 in September to 55 in October.
In Sindh, three militant attacks killed three civilians and injured seven people, including four civilians and three security personnel. PICSS reported increased activity of Al-Zainabiyun Brigade, with eight suspected militants, including key commanders, arrested. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) targeted the Jaffar Express in Sindh’s Shikarpur district with an IED, derailing four bogies and injuring seven passengers.
Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed three attacks, including two attempted target killings apparently by the Al-Zainabiyun Brigade, while the TTP abducted two officials of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
In Punjab, one low-intensity attack occurred when TTP militants blew up a gas pipeline in Mianwali district. Security forces also arrested an Al-Qaeda operative from Okara district.
Cumulatively, PICSS recorded 2,853 deaths in the first ten months of 2025 — including 1,734 militants, 601 security personnel, 497 civilians and 21 pro-government combatants. The institute concluded that while militant violence persists, the sharp rise in militant deaths underscores the growing effectiveness of Pakistan’s counter-militancy operations.
