ISLAMABAD: Terrorist attacks in the country declined by 37 percent in October, with significant improvements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, said a report released by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) on Sunday.
The PICSS recorded 143 militant attacks in October, down from 226 in September. Deaths resulting from the attacks fell by 57 percent, from 260 to 111, while injuries declined by 71 percent, from 242 to 69.
Overall, militant attacks and counter-terrorism operations resulted in 272 deaths and 71 injuries during October. Those killed included 53 security personnel, five peace committee members, 45 civilians and 169 militants. The injured comprised 29 security personnel, 11 peace committee members and 31 civilians.
Suicide attacks also declined, with one incident recorded in October, causing no casualties, compared with three in September that killed 45 people and injured 138.
Security forces killed 156 militants and arrested seven suspected militants during counter-terrorism operations nationwide. Two security personnel and three civilians were killed, while two security personnel were injured during these operations.
Balochistan recorded 71 militant attacks in October, down 46 percent from 132 in September. Attack-related deaths fell from 136 to 44, while injuries declined from 63 to 37.
Security operations in the province killed 79 militants, while three civilians were killed and two security personnel injured.
In KP, excluding the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), attacks declined by 31 percent, from 58 to 40.
Deaths fell from 90 to 38, while injuries dropped from 165 to 19. Counter-terrorism operations killed 42 militants and two security personnel.
Punjab recorded two attacks in October, compared with none in September. The incidents killed four people but caused no injuries. No attacks were reported in Sindh.
Despite the overall improvement, kidnappings remained a major concern, particularly in Balochistan.
PICSS recorded 88 people kidnapped in militant-related incidents nationwide in October, up 22 percent from 72 in September. The think tank said this was the highest monthly figure in the preceding 12 months.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026