2 weeks Ago By Imran Mukhtar
ISLAMABAD - Militant violence and security operations intensified across Pakistan in March 2025, with the number of militant attacks surpassing 100 for the first time since November 2014, according to the data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The think tank reported 105 militant attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, resulting in 228 fatali-ties, including 73 security personnel, 67 civilians and 88 militants. Additionally, 258 people were injured, comprising 129 security personnel and an equal number of civilians.
Security forces also conducted intensified counter-militancy operations, resulting in the deaths of 107 individuals, including 83 militants, 13 security personnel and 11 civilians, while 31 others were injured, among them nine security personnel and four militants. In total, militant attacks and security opera-tions accounted for 335 deaths, with 86 security personnel, 78 civilians and 171 militants among the deceased. PM gets briefing on repatriation of Afghan nationals According to the PICSS Militancy Database (PMD), March 2025 recorded the highest overall fatalities since August 2015.
The month also saw the highest number of security forces casualties since January 2023, when 114 personnel lost their lives. It was the second deadliest month for Pakistani security forces in the past decade, following January 2023. SURGE IN SUICIDE ATTACKS PICSS recorded six suicide bombings in March, the highest in a single month in recent years.
These at-tacks resulted in 59 fatalities, including 15 civilians, 11 security personnel and 33 militants, while 94 oth-ers were injured – 56 security personnel and 38 civilians. Three of these attacks occurred in Balochi-stan, two in mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and one in the erstwhile Federally Administered Trib-al Areas (FATA), now part of KP’s tribal districts. BALOCHISTAN AND KP: MOST AFFECTED REGIONS Armed Forces, LEAs, people of KP always braved against terrorism: COAS Balochistan and KP remained the most affected provinces.
One of the most notable incidents was the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train by the banned Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Bashir Zeb group on March 11, resulting in the death of at least 26 hostages and the elimination of 33 militants. The prov-ince also witnessed three suicide attacks, including one vehicle-borne bombing. A female suicide bomber, reportedly from the BLA’s Herbyar Marri faction (BLA-Azad), carried out one attack, while another was claimed by the Bashir Zeb faction.
A suspected suicide bombing targeting a Balochistan National Party-Mengal rally remained unclaimed. Overall, Balochistan saw at least 122 fatalities in militant attacks and security operations, including 40 civilians, 37 security personnel and 45 militants. Additionally, 148 people sustained injuries – 79 civilians and 69 security personnel.
Security forces arrested at least eight suspected militants, while militants reportedly kidnapped 11 individuals. Afghan refugees face deportation as deadline expires In KP, at least 206 people were killed, including 49 security personnel, 34 civilians and 123 militants, while 115 were injured, among them 63 security personnel and 49 civilians. Within the province, main-land KP recorded 124 fatalities – 32 civilians, 30 security personnel and 62 militants – while 65 people were injured.
The tribal districts, formerly FATA, saw 82 deaths, including 19 security personnel, two civilians and 61 militants. A noticeable intensification of security operations was recorded, with 123 mil-itants killed in KP during the month. SECURITY OPERATIONS AND ARRESTS IN PUNJAB A significant increase in militant activity was observed in Punjab, where at least seven attacks – mostly attributed to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – were recorded.
According to the PICSS Militancy Database, this marks the highest number of militant incidents in a single month in Punjab over the past decade. Six of these attacks occurred in Dera Ghazi Khan district where the TTP has been attempting to expand its presence along the KP border. The province reported six fatalities – three civilians and three militants.
Myanmar quake death toll passes 3,000 In response to the growing threat of militancy, security forces intensified their operations in Punjab. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested at least 22 individuals linked to various militant groups, including the TTP. All these arrests took place in the provincial capital, Lahore.
SITUATION IN OTHER REGIONS Sindh experienced three low-intensity attacks in March, resulting in one civilian fatality and injuries to seven individuals, including six security personnel. One attack, claimed by the outlawed Islamic State (Daesh), targeted a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader, while the banned Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for an assault on a police station. No militant attacks were reported from Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
However, security forces arrested a TTP militant in AJK, recovering weapons and ammunition. Tags: militant attacks march.
