ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has witnessed a noticeable decline in cross-border terrorist attacks and violence-related fatalities following the closure of its border with Afghanistan on October 11, according to data released by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
The data, compiled as part of CRSS’s Annual Security Report 2025, shows that terrorist attacks declined by nearly 17 per cent in December, following a 9 per cent reduction in November. Fatalities linked to terrorist violence among civilians and security personnel also decreased in the final quarter of 2025, with civilian deaths falling by almost 4 per cent and security-related fatalities dropping by around 19 per cent in November and December.
Despite this short-term improvement, the report notes that 2025 overall remained the most violent year for Pakistan in a decade. The country experienced an almost 34 per cent surge in violence compared to the previous year. According to CRSS, Pakistan has seen a sustained rise in violence for five consecutive years since 2021, coinciding with the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. Violence increased by nearly 38 per cent in 2021, over 15 per cent in 2022, 56 per cent in 2023, close to 67 per cent in 2024, and 34 per cent in 2025.
Comparative figures for 2024 and 2025 indicate a sharp escalation in terrorism and counterterrorism-related violence nationwide. Total fatalities rose from 2,555 in 2024 to 3,417 in 2025, marking an increase of 862 deaths year-on-year.
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The most significant surge in violence was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Fatalities in the province increased from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, an addition of 711 deaths. This accounted for more than 82 per cent of the net national increase and represented an almost 44 per cent rise in violence in the province. Balochistan also experienced an upward trend, with fatalities rising from 787 to 956, an increase of 169 deaths, or nearly 22 per cent.
The most significant surge in violence was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the fatalities rose from 1620 in 2024 to 2331 in 2025, an absolute increase of 711 deaths.https://t.co/JRYLdYAjDD
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 1, 2026
The report highlighted that violence remained heavily concentrated in KP and Balochistan, which together accounted for more than 96 per cent of all fatalities and nearly 93 per cent of violent incidents in 2025. KP alone accounted for over 68 per cent of total fatalities and around 63 per cent of violent incidents, followed by Balochistan with 28 per cent of fatalities and more than 30 per cent of incidents.
In contrast, Punjab and Sindh recorded comparatively lower levels of violence. Punjab reported 25 incidents resulting in 40 fatalities, while Sindh recorded 51 incidents causing 56 deaths. Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Islamabad Capital Territory saw relatively few incidents but reported higher injury figures. Gilgit-Baltistan remained the least affected region, though fatalities increased from one to four during the year.
The CRSS report noted that while the border closure appears to have contributed to a recent reduction in attacks, sustained policy measures would be required to reverse the broader trend of rising violence.
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