WNAM REPORT: A significant reduction in combat-related fatalities was recorded across Pakistan in March 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) also observed a decline in high-profile militant attacks, even as the overall number of attacks increased during the month.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies noted that the reduction in human losses coincided with Pakistan’s cross-border military strikes targeting militant positions in Afghanistan, which began in the last week of February and continued until March 18 before a ceasefire was reached. The timing suggests these operations may have contributed to disrupting militant capacity and reducing the lethality of attacks.
Notably, in response to these strikes, groups including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamat-ul-Ahrar, and Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen—an umbrella alliance comprising Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam, and Inquilab-e-Islami Pakistan—announced an escalation in attacks against Pakistan. Despite this surge in militant activity, the overall impact remained comparatively limited, as reflected in the sharp decline in casualties.
According to the monthly security assessment issued by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, a total of 331 people were killed in March compared to 506 in February, marking a 35 percent decline in overall combat-related deaths.
Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies shows that civilian fatalities dropped sharply from 132 in February to 39 in March 2026, reflecting a 70 percent decrease. Security forces’ fatalities declined from 80 to 59, a 26 percent reduction, while militant deaths fell from 294 to 228, representing a 22 percent decline.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies further reported a 37 percent decrease in injuries, with 210 people injured in March compared to 333 in February. Injuries among security personnel slightly declined from 50 to 48, a four percent reduction. However, militant injuries rose significantly from 24 to 57, marking a 138 percent increase. Civilian injuries saw the most notable improvement, dropping from 259 to 98, a 62 percent decrease.
Despite the overall decline in casualties, the month witnessed a rise in attacks on pro-government peace committee members, with five killed and seven injured compared to none in February.
While the overall impact of violence against the state declined, militant groups increased the frequency of their activities, largely shifting towards low-intensity operations. PICSS recorded 146 militant attacks in March compared to 83 in February. Suicide attacks dropped from five in February to just one in March. During the month, security forces arrested 41 suspected militants, while militants kidnapped 19 individuals.
In Balochistan, 189 combat-related deaths were recorded in March compared to 285 in February, reflecting a 34 percent reduction. Civilian deaths dropped from 82 to 17, a 79 percent decline. Militant fatalities decreased from 176 in February to 145 in March, while security forces losses remained unchanged at 27 personnel.
However, injuries in Balochistan rose sharply from 16 in February to 85 in March, a 431 percent increase. Among the injured, security forces personnel increased from four to 19, militant injuries rose from zero to 47, and civilian injuries increased from 12 to 19. Militants kidnapped eight individuals in the province, while security forces arrested 26 suspected militants during the month.
The erstwhile FATA (merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) recorded 55 combat-related deaths in March compared to 95 in February, a 42 percent decline. Security forces fatalities dropped from 23 to 16, while militant deaths declined sharply from 62 to 24, a 61 percent decrease. Civilian deaths, however, rose from 10 to 13.
Similar to Balochistan, injuries in the region increased significantly, rising from 33 in February to 92 in March. Security personnel injuries increased from four to 15, militant injuries from three to eight, and civilian injuries from 26 to 69. The region also witnessed seven abductions, and the only suicide bombing of the month was reported from this area.
In mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, overall fatalities remained largely unchanged, with 83 deaths recorded in March compared to 81 in February. However, security forces fatalities dropped notably from 27 to 16. Civilian deaths increased from six to nine, while militant deaths rose from 48 to 55.
Contrary to trends in Balochistan and erstwhile FATA, injuries in mainland KP declined significantly from 104 in February to 33 in March. Security forces injuries dropped from 35 to 14, civilian injuries from 48 to 10, and militant injuries from 21 to two. However, peace committee members suffered three deaths and seven injuries compared to none in February, indicating a shift by militants towards softer targets amid heightened security vigilance.
Punjab reported no militant attacks in March. However, security forces killed four militants in an operation. In comparison, February saw three militants and two security personnel killed, while one security personnel and four civilians were injured. No injuries were reported in Punjab during March.
Similarly, no militant attacks were reported from Sindh, though security forces arrested eight suspected militants. In February, security forces had killed four militants and arrested one in the province.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, one attempted militant attack on a security check post near the Diamer-Bhasha Dam was reported. However, the attack was thwarted by security forces, and no casualties were recorded.
