2025 Was Pakistan’s Most Violent Year In A Decade: CRSS Security Report

Last Updated:January 01, 2026, 21:13 IST

An overwhelming 96% of all fatalities and 93% of violent incidents were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. 

Fatalities among security forces declined 5% but they remained a primary target. (Image: Reuters)

Pakistan witnessed its deadliest year in a decade in 2025, with a sharp surge in militant violence, according to data collected by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The CRSS Annual Security Report 2025 said overall violence rose 34% year-on-year, with fatalities linked to attacks increasing to 3,417 in 2025, up from 2,555 in 2024. The report recorded 1,272 incidents of violence, resulting in 3,417 deaths and 2,134 injuries during the year.

Violence Rising Every Year Since 2021

The local think-tank said Pakistan has seen a steady annual escalation in violence since 2021, with 2024 registering the sharpest jump at 67%. The upward trend continued into 2025, making it the most lethal year in the last ten years.

Afghan Border Closure Led To Temporary Dip

The report noted a brief decline in attacks after Pakistan closed its border with Afghanistan on October 11. By December, attacks fell 17%, while fatalities among civilians and security personnel dropped 19%, suggesting border tightening had a short-term impact on militant movement.

KP And Balochistan Account For Vast Majority Of Violence

An overwhelming 96% of all fatalities and 93% of violent incidents were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the worst-hit province, with 2,331 deaths, marking a 44% year-on-year increase. Fatalities in Balochistan rose 22% to 956 in 2025.

Punjab saw a decline in violence, with fatalities dropping from 66 in 2024 to 40 in 2025. Deaths in the capital territory also fell, from 26 to 15. Gilgit-Baltistan, while still the least affected region, saw a four-fold increase in fatalities, rising to four deaths.

Outlaws Make Up Majority Of Death Toll

Outlaws accounted for 60% of all fatalities, or 2,060 deaths, the highest toll for militant groups since 2015. CRSS said outlaw fatalities surged by over 120% compared to 2024, largely due to intensified security operations.

Civilian fatalities fell 24%, though civilians continued to bear the brunt of violence, accounting for 56% of all injuries. Fatalities among security forces declined 5% but they remained a primary target. The report recorded 374 deaths among Army and Frontier Corps personnel. In total, 22 high-ranking military officers and seven senior police officials were killed in 2025.

Militant Groups Behind Attacks

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) emerged as the most active militant group during the year, followed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).

News world 2025 Was Pakistan’s Most Violent Year In A Decade: CRSS Security Report

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