Violence linked to militancy and counter-terrorism in Pakistan declined by approximately 5 percent during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the previous three months. However, fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) surged dramatically by 53 percent, marking a concerning development in the security landscape, as detailed in a report released on Friday by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
The Islamabad-based think tank recorded 774 deaths and 336 injuries related to violence between April and June across at least 267 incidents, comprising militant attacks and operations by security forces. This compares with 813 fatalities reported in the first quarter of the year.
Notably, KP surpassed Balochistan as the province most affected by violence, accounting for 475 deaths, which represents over 61 percent of the national total. Fatalities in KP rose from 311 in the previous quarter, with 151 violent incidents recorded—the highest number among all regions.
Balochistan remained the second most impacted province, with 265 deaths across 94 incidents. This figure reflects a steep decline of more than 40 percent from 443 fatalities in the first quarter, contributing significantly to the overall national decrease in violence-related deaths.
Together, KP and Balochistan accounted for nearly 96 percent of all violence-related fatalities during the second quarter. The report highlighted that violence in KP was predominantly concentrated in the districts of Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kurram, and Bajaur. Meanwhile, about 60 percent of violent incidents in Balochistan occurred in Quetta, Chagai, Washuk, Kech, and Gwadar.
Punjab showed a slight improvement, with fatalities falling to 12 from 14 in the previous quarter. In contrast, Sindh experienced an increase in deaths, rising to 14 from seven, while Gilgit-Baltistan’s fatalities grew to three from one. Azad Jammu and Kashmir reported five deaths after none in the prior quarter, whereas the Islamabad Capital Territory saw no violence-related deaths compared to 37 in the first quarter.
The report detailed that 453 suspected militants were killed during nearly 80 security operations, alongside 187 civilian deaths and 134 fatalities among security personnel. Although militant attacks occurred more than twice as often as security operations, the latter resulted in higher fatalities among suspected militants, indicating greater lethality per engagement.
Civilians bore the brunt of injuries, sustaining 205 out of 336 recorded during the quarter, while security personnel suffered 117 injuries and only 14 suspected militants were reported injured. Civilian deaths declined by 17.2 percent compared to the previous quarter, whereas fatalities among security forces and militants remained largely steady.
During the quarter, CRSS documented 188 militant attacks, with shootings the most prevalent tactic, accounting for 67 incidents that caused 88 deaths. Coordinated armed assaults resulted in 53 fatalities. Meanwhile, suicide attacks increased, with six vehicle-borne bombings killing 40 people and injuring 43. Additionally, six planned suicide attacks were foiled, doubling the number of attempts compared to the first quarter.
In a significant incident on May 25 near Chaman Phatak, a vehicle bomb targeted a passenger shuttle, killing 15 people and injuring 20. Banned militant groups claimed responsibility for 22 attacks between April and June 25, which caused 76 deaths and 29 injuries.
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army was responsible for eight attacks resulting in 41 deaths, making it the deadliest group during this period. The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed seven attacks, causing 26 fatalities. Together, these two groups accounted for nearly two-thirds of the claimed attacks and more than 83 percent of fatalities in attacks for which responsibility was acknowledged.
