ISLAMABAD: The country witnessed a significant improvement in several key security indicators during October 2026, with terrorist attacks declining by 37 per cent, deaths resulting from these attacks falling by 57pc, and injuries decreasing by 71pc compared with September.
The improvement was particularly pronounced in Balochistan and mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while suicide attacks also declined substantially. However, an increase in kidnappings, particularly in Balochistan, remained a major area of concern.
According to statistics released by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country experienced 143 terrorist attacks during October, compared with 226 in September.
The decline reversed two consecutive months of increasing terrorist violence and marked a notable improvement in the security situation following September’s heightened level of attacks.
Improvement particularly pronounced in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, apart from ex-tribal districts, PICSS data shows
Data showed that terrorist attacks claimed 111 lives in October, compared with 260 in September, representing a reduction of 57pc. The number of people injured in these attacks dropped even more sharply, from 242 to 69, a 71pc drop.
According to PICSS, terrorist attacks and security forces’ counterterrorism operations collectively resulted in 272 deaths and 71 injuries in October. Those killed included 53 security personnel, five peace committee members, 45 civilians, and 169 militants. The injured included 29 security forces personnel, 11 peace committee members, and 31 civilians.
A rolling 12-month comparison conducted by PICSS revealed several encouraging developments. Injuries resulting from terrorist attacks fell to their lowest monthly level in the past year. The combined number of injuries from terrorist attacks and security operations also reached a 12-month low, as did injuries among security forces personnel. The number of suicide attacks was jointly the lowest recorded during the same period. However, the number of militants killed, at 169, was also year’s lowest monthly figure, showing a drop in militant fatalities.
Suicide attacks declined sharply during October, with only one such incident, compared with three in September. The October incident involved a vehicle-borne suicide attack but caused no fatalities or injuries. In contrast, the three suicide attacks recorded in September, including two vehicle-borne attacks, had resulted in 45 deaths and 138 injuries. Consequently, fatalities and injuries from suicide attacks both declined by 100pc during October.
Counterterrorism operations
Security forces continued counterterrorism operations across the country. According to PICSS, these operations resulted in the killing of 156 militants and the arrest of seven suspected militants during October. Two security forces personnel and three civilians lost their lives during these operations, while two security forces personnel were injured.
Balochistan recorded one of the most significant improvements, with terrorist attacks declining by 46pc, from 132 in September to 71 in October. Fatalities from terrorist attacks dropped from 136 to 44, representing a reduction of approximately 68pc, while injuries declined from 63 to 37, a decrease of 41pc. Separately, security forces’ operations in the province resulted in the killing of 79 militants. Three civilians lost their lives and two security forces personnel were injured during these operations.
Mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excluding the formerly federally administered tribal areas, also witnessed a substantial improvement. The report claimed 40 terrorist attacks in October, compared with 58 in September, representing a 31pc drop. Fatalities from these attacks decreased from 90 to 38, a reduction of 58pc, while injuries fell from 165 to 19, an improvement of 88pc. Counterterrorism operations in the region resulted in the killing of 42 militants, while two security forces personnel lost their lives.
The KP’s merged districts experienced a comparatively modest decline in terrorist violence. The think-tank recorded 30 attacks during October, compared with 34 in September, a reduction of 12pc. Deaths resulting from terrorist attacks declined from 33 to 25. Security forces’ operations in these districts resulted in the killing of 35 militants.
Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2026
