Key points
- 355 militants killed in intensified counterterrorism operations
- Balochistan sees significant decline in casualties
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa records highest militant deaths since 2014
ISLAMABAD: Militants in Pakistan faced their heaviest casualties in a decade in October as security forces ramped up counterterrorism operations across multiple regions, resulting in the deaths of at least 355 insurgents, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) on Saturday.
Pakistan had pledged last month to take comprehensive measures to target militant groups that have escalated violence in the country’s two western provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which border Afghanistan. Authorities have repeatedly stated that these groups are based in Afghan frontier regions and launch cross-border attacks on civilians and security forces, reports Arab News.
The two nations also saw their worst border clashes in years during October, leaving dozens dead on both sides. This led to a ceasefire agreement and the initiation of talks mediated by Türkiye and Qatar. Pakistan’s primary demand in these negotiations is for the Taliban to take “decisive and verifiable action” against anti-Pakistan groups operating from Afghan territory.
Highest number of abductions
The PICSS report revealed that 458 people were killed last month, including 355 militants, 72 security personnel, 30 civilians, and one pro-government peace committee member. Another 162 individuals were injured, including 92 security personnel, 48 civilians, and 22 militants. Militants also abducted 55 people, marking the highest number of abductions in a decade.
While militant violence continues, PICSS noted that the significant rise in militant deaths indicates the growing success of Pakistan’s counter-militancy efforts.
In Balochistan, 23 militant attacks were recorded, an increase from 21 in September, but the casualties dropped significantly from 79 to 27.
Militant attacks
Security forces killed 67 militants, the highest number since 2002, marking a notable improvement in the province’s security situation, with civilian deaths falling by 92% and security force fatalities by 52%.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 22 militant attacks occurred, resulting in 31 deaths, including 18 security personnel and 13 civilians, with 45 injured. Security operations killed 209 militants, the highest number since November 2014.
Other regions such as Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Punjab also witnessed militant activity, including attacks, abductions, and arrests. The total number of deaths recorded by PICSS in the first ten months of 2025 stands at 2,853, including 1,734 militants, 601 security personnel, 497 civilians, and 21 pro-government fighters.
