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Militants Face Worst Defeat in a Decade as Pakistan Ramps Up Operations
Pakistan’s security forces killed 355 militants in October — the highest toll in 10 years. PICSS says militant deaths surged amid intensified counterterrorism drives nationwide.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-01
Militants Face Worst Defeat in a Decade as Pakistan Ramps Up Operations

Militants in Pakistan suffered their heaviest monthly losses in a decade during October 2025 as security forces ramped up counterterrorism operations across multiple regions, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The Islamabad-based think tank reported that 355 militants were eliminated last month, while 72 security personnel and 31 civilians — including a peace committee member in Bannu — were killed in related violence. Another 92 security personnel, 48 civilians, and 22 militants were injured.

Despite a 29% rise in militant attacks from 69 in September to 89 in October, overall human losses in these attacks dropped by 19%, indicating improved operational efficiency by security forces.

PICSS highlighted that militants kidnapped 55 people in October — the highest monthly abduction figure in ten years — while security forces arrested 22 suspected militants.

Balochistan: Record Militant Deaths Since 2002

Balochistan witnessed 23 militant attacks, slightly higher than September’s 21. However, casualties fell sharply, with security personnel deaths dropping from 33 to 16 and civilian deaths from 38 to 3.
Security operations in the province killed 67 militants — the highest monthly toll since 2002, marking what PICSS described as a significant improvement in the province’s security situation.

Tribal Districts: Highest Militant Death Toll Since 2014

In the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), 22 militant attacks were recorded, similar to September, but with significantly higher casualties.
A total of 31 people were killed, including 18 security personnel and 13 civilians, while 209 militants were eliminated in operations — the highest single-month militant death toll since November 2014.

Among the dead was Qari Amjad, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) former deputy emir and shadow defence minister, killed in Bajaur — the most high-profile TTP casualty since the group’s inception in 2007.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Spike in Attacks

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 37 militant attacks, up from 25 in September, leading to 48 deaths — including 21 security personnel, 10 civilians, and 16 militants. Security operations killed 55 militants, though this represented a drop from 88 in September.

Sindh, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan

In Sindh, three militant attacks killed three civilians and injured seven others, while eight suspected members of the Zainabiyoun Brigade were arrested. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) also targeted the Jaffar Express in Shikarpur with an IED, derailing four coaches and injuring passengers.

Gilgit-Baltistan saw three attacks, including two attempted assassinations linked to the Zainabiyoun Brigade. Militants also abducted two Wapda officials.
In Punjab, a low-intensity TTP attack damaged a gas pipeline in Mianwali, while security forces arrested an Al-Qaeda operative in Okara.

Overall Security Landscape

From January to October 2025, PICSS recorded 2,853 total deaths, including 1,734 militants, 601 security personnel, 497 civilians, and 21 pro-government combatants.

While Pakistan still faces persistent militant activity, PICSS concluded that the surge in militant deaths reflects growing effectiveness and coordination among security and intelligence agencies.

Earlier this year, Pakistan ranked second on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with a 45% rise in terrorism-related deaths compared to the previous year.
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Pakistan

TTP

CounterTerrorism

SecurityForces
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