Islamabad: According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), violence and security operations surged in March 2025, with the number of terrorist attacks surpassing 100 for the first time since November 2014.
The think tank recorded 105 attacks in March, resulting in 228 fatalities, including 73 security personnel and 67 civilians, while 88 terrorists were also killed. Additionally, 258 individuals were injured, comprising 129 security personnel and an equal number of civilians.
Security forces intensified counterterrorism operations, leading to the deaths of 83 terrorists. These operations also resulted in 107 casualties, including 13 security personnel and 11 civilians, while 31 others were injured, including nine security personnel and four terrorists.
In total, 335 people lost their lives in terrorist attacks and security operations combined, including 86 security personnel, 78 civilians, and 171 militants. According to the Militancy Database (MD), March 2025 recorded the highest number of fatalities since August 2015, while it was also the deadliest month for security forces since January 2023, when 114 personnel were killed.
March saw six suicide bombings, the highest in a single month in recent years, killing 59 people, including 15 civilians and 11 security personnel, while 33 militants were also eliminated. These attacks injured 94 individuals, including 56 security personnel and 38 civilians.
Among these, three suicide bombings occurred in Balochistan, two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and one in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), now part of KP's tribal districts.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the hardest-hit regions. A major incident occurred on March 11 when the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Bashir Zeb Group hijacked the Jaffar Express, resulting in at least 26 hostage deaths and 33 terrorist casualties.
Balochistan saw 122 deaths due to terrorist attacks and security operations, including 40 civilians, 37 security personnel, and 45 terrorists. The province also reported 148 injuries, comprising 79 civilians and 69 security personnel. Security forces arrested at least eight suspected militants, while terrorists allegedly kidnapped 11 individuals.
In KP, 206 people were killed, including 49 security personnel, 34 civilians, and 123 terrorists, with 115 others injured. The tribal districts witnessed 82 fatalities, including 19 security personnel, two civilians, and 61 militants. The month saw a notable increase in security operations, with 123 militants eliminated.
Punjab experienced a sharp rise in militant activity, with at least seven attacks, mostly attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These marked the highest number of attacks in the province in a single month over the past decade. Six of these incidents occurred in Dera Ghazi Khan, where TTP is expanding its presence along the KP border. Punjab recorded six fatalities, including three civilians and three militants. Security forces responded by ramping up operations, with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arresting 22 militants, all in Lahore.
Sindh witnessed three low-intensity attacks, resulting in one civilian death and seven injuries, including six security personnel. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for one attack targeting a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader, while the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for an assault on a police station.
No militant attacks were reported in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, or Azad Jammu and Kashmir. However, security forces arrested a TTP militant in AJK and seized weapons and ammunition.
