ISLAMABAD: Civilian deaths in terrorist attacks more than doubled in February 2025 as compared to the previous month, according to a new report.

There were 79 terrorist attacks in February, resulting in the deaths of 55 civilians and 47 security personnel, according to the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The death toll of civilians increased by 175 per cent in February, compared to 20 casualties in January 2025.

February was also the first month since August 2024 in which civilian fatalities surpassed those of security forces.

55 civilians, 47 security personnel lost their lives in 79 attacks, PICSS reports

The casualties of security forces declined by 18pc from 57 in January.

Moreover, 81 security forces personnel and 45 civilians were injured in terror attacks in February.

Security forces also intensified counter-terrorism operations, eliminating 156 terrorists and arresting 66, the highest since the December 2023 figure of 139.

Most of these arrests, 50, were made from the erstwhile Fata region, while 16 from Punjab.

According to the PICSS report, Balochistan remained the most volatile province, with 32 attacks that claimed 56 lives, including 35 civilians, 10 security personnel and 11 terrorists.

The attacks also left 44 people injured, including 32 security forces personnel and 12 civilians.

Two persons were abducted from the province.

The Bashir Zeb and Azad factions of the Balochistan Liberation Army, the Balochistan Liberation Front, and the United Baloch Army claimed responsibility for most of these attacks.

In response, the security forces killed 11 terrorists in Balochistan.

In the former Fata region, 21 attacks were reported, killing 22 security personnel and eight civilians.

Additionally, 26 security forces personnel and 11 civilians were injured.

Security forces killed at least 98 terrorists, injured 15, and arrested 50 suspects in the region.

Most of the attacks were claimed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Lashkar-i-Islam and factions of Gul Bahadur Group also claimed responsibility for a few attacks.

Other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 23 attacks, resulting in 14 security forces personnel and 12 civilian deaths, while 22 civilians and an equal number of security personnel were injured.

Security forces killed 47 militants in the province.

Most of these attacks were claimed by the TTP.

Three minor attacks took place in Sindh, killing one security official and injuring another.

One attack was claimed by the Sindhu Desh Revolutionary Army and one by the Gul Bahadur Group.

It was the first-ever attack claimed by the Gul Bahadur Group outside KP in which a cop was shot dead in Manghopir of Karachi.

No attack was reported in Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir or Islamabad. Security forces arrested 16 suspected terrorists from various locations in Punjab.

During the first two months of 2025, terrorists carried out 153 attacks nationwide, killing 179 people, including 104 security personnel and 75 civilians, while 233 individuals were injured — 134 security personnel and 99 civilians.

Security forces eliminated 364 militants, injured 51, and arrested 70 suspected militants.

Additionally, militants kidnapped 46 people during this period.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2025