Militant attacks rose 27pc in May: PICSS report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded a sharp worsening in its security situation in May 2026 after two months of relative improvement, according to the monthly assessment issued by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

128 militant attacks were recorded during May, up from 101 in April, reflecting a 27 per cent increase. PICSS said the rise marked a reversal of the downward trend seen over the previous two months and was driven mainly by growing militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

According to the assessment, the increase in violence led to a substantial rise in casualties. In May, 71 civilians, 68 security personnel and six peace committee members were killed. Another 147 civilians, 35 security personnel and three peace committee members were injured.

PICSS said civilian deaths climbed from 37 in April to 71 in May, a 92pc increase, while fatalities among security personnel rose from 28 to 68, showing a 143pc jump.

Suicide attacks and provincial impact

The report identified a sharp escalation in suicide bombings as one of the most serious developments of the month. Six suicide attacks took place in May, including four vehicle-borne bombings. Those attacks killed 34 security personnel and nine civilians.

In comparison, PICSS recorded one suicide attack in March and one in April, indicating a significant month-on-month increase in the use of such tactics by militant groups.

Balochistan was identified as the worst-affected province during the month. The province recorded 71 militant attacks in May, compared with 34 in April, amounting to a 109pc increase.

The report also pointed to a rise in kidnappings. Of 54 abductions reported across the country in May, 52 took place in Balochistan, which PICSS said reflected an expanding operational footprint of militant groups in the province.

Security operations

Despite the increase in attacks, security forces stepped up counterterrorism operations during the month, according to PICSS records. 270 militants were killed and 15 were arrested nationwide.

Of the militants killed, 128 were reported in the erstwhile Fata districts, 62 in mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 71 in Balochistan and one in Punjab, the assessment said.

PICSS said the overall pattern in May showed that militant groups had regained momentum after a brief decline, with the rise in attacks, casualties, suicide bombings and kidnappings underscoring continuing security challenges in conflict-affected regions.