Violence in Pakistan has escalated dramatically over the past three months, driven by a notable increase in militant attacks and intensified counter-terrorism operations, as highlighted in a recent report from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) based in Islamabad.
The report indicates a staggering 46 percent rise in fatalities, encompassing civilians, security personnel, and militants, when compared to the previous quarter. With the year progressing, it is on track to surpass 2024, which is already recorded as the most violent year in the last decade.
The Pakistani military is engaged in confrontations with various militant groups along its western border. The Pakistani Taliban has been particularly active in the northwest, while Baloch separatist factions in the southwest account for a significant share of the recent violence. CRSS suggests that this upswing in violence reflects an “intensification of militant activity and the expanded scale of counter-terrorism operations.”
The situation began deteriorating following the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has accused the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan of offering refuge to militants, a claim that has been consistently denied by the Taliban. The United Nations has also expressed concern, indicating a “permissive environment” for militant groups in Afghanistan that could further exacerbate security challenges for Pakistan.
Concerns among government officials highlighted that there has been a noticeable surge in the presence of Pakistani Taliban militants in recent months. Adding to the tensions, opposition lawmakers have accused the Pakistani military of conducting air raids on militant hideouts that inadvertently resulted in civilian casualties, including children. The military has yet to respond to these allegations.
Local village councils have cautioned that extensive counter-terrorism operations are likely to jeopardize the safety of civilians, emphasizing the dire complexities surrounding military engagements in these regions.
According to CRSS statistics, the first nine months of 2025 have already recorded 2,414 deaths, bringing it alarmingly close to the 2,546 fatalities documented in the whole of 2024. This upsurge in violence and operational intensity underscores the deepening challenges Pakistan faces regarding security and counter-terrorism efforts in a volatile regional landscape.
