Militant attacks surge in January

Islamabad : Pakistan witnessed a sharp increase in militant attacks in January 2025, surging by 42 percent compared to the previous month.

According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.

The report from PICSS highlighted an intensified counterterrorism campaign by Pakistani security forces, which led to the elimination of at least 185 militants in January, making it the second deadliest month for militant casualties since 2016.

The highest number of militants killed in a single month since 2016 was recorded in December 2024, when security forces neutralized 190 militants. The combined toll of militant attacks and security operations in January stood at 245 fatalities, comprising 185 militants, 40 security forces personnel, and 20 civilians. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan.

In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants. The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile FATA) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants. Balochistan also experienced a surge in militant activity, with **PICSS** recording at least 24 attacks, which claimed 26 lives, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and nine militants. In Punjab, two militant attacks were reported, leaving one security official injured. On the last day of January, militants launched a major assault on a police checkpost in DG Khan’s Jhangi area, but security forces successfully repelled the attack without any casualties. Sindh and the federal capital, Islamabad, each witnessed one attack, though neither resulted in fatalities.

The month also saw two suicide bombings, both in Balochistan. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for one, while the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) took credit for the other. Additionally, PICSS observed a concerning spike in kidnappings, with militants abducting at least 37 individuals.

Of these, 22 were taken in five incidents across KP’s Lakki Marwat and Tank districts, while 15 were kidnapped from North and South Waziristan. The surge in abductions in southern KP reflects a deteriorating security situation in the region. Security forces intensified operations across KP and Balochistan, eliminating 67 militants in the tribal districts of KP (erstwhile FATA), 71 in its settled areas, and 47 in Balochistan.