Terrorism declines in June despite high-profile attacks: PICSS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan witnessed a notable decline in terrorist violence and anti-state security incidents during June despite several high-profile attacks, including multiple suicide bombings, according to the latest monthly security assessment released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The Islamabad-based think tank reported that both terrorist attacks and overall casualties decreased compared with the previous month, reflecting sustained counterterrorism operations by security forces. However, it cautioned that militant groups continue to retain the capability to carry out complex, high-impact attacks, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing the country.

According to the report, 262 people were killed in violence-related incidents during June. Of these, 184 terrorists were killed in intelligence-based operations and security engagements, accounting for the largest share of fatalities.

The remaining deaths included 52 civilians and 26 security personnel, highlighting the continued human cost of militancy despite the overall improvement in the security situation.

The report also recorded 134 injuries during the month, including 63 civilians, 50 security personnel, 18 members of pro-government peace committees and three militants.

Compared with May, casualties among security forces declined by 62 per cent, while civilian deaths fell by 27 per cent. Fatalities among terrorists also dropped by 32 per cent, indicating the effectiveness of ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Similarly, injuries among security personnel declined by 43 per cent, civilian injuries by 57 per cent, and militant injuries by 67 per cent over the previous month.

PICSS further reported a substantial reduction in kidnappings, with 27 abduction cases recorded in June compared with 54 in May, representing a 50 per cent decline. Security agencies also arrested at least 27 suspected terrorists during various operations across the country.

The report noted that the number of terrorist attacks fell from 128 in May to 108 in June, marking an overall reduction of approximately 16 per cent.

Despite the downward trend, the think tank warned that militant organisations continue to demonstrate their ability to launch sophisticated attacks.

June witnessed four suicide attacks, including three vehicle-borne suicide bombings. Among the most significant was the June 27 attack targeting Sindh Rangers personnel in Karachi, which claimed the lives of three security officials.

By comparison, six suicide attacks—including four vehicle-borne bombings—were recorded during May.

The provincial analysis showed Balochistan registering the most significant improvement in the security situation.

The province recorded 49 militant attacks during June compared with 71 in May, reflecting a 31 per cent decline.

The former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), now merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also experienced a decrease in militant activity, with attacks falling from 22 to 17, a reduction of 23 per cent.

However, the settled districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a modest deterioration, with attacks increasing from 32 in May to 37 in June, representing a 16 per cent rise.

One of the month's deadliest incidents occurred on June 9, when terrorists attempted to overrun a Federal Constabulary post in Hassan Khel near Peshawar. Six security personnel embraced martyrdom and four others sustained injuries before security forces repulsed the assault, killing eight militants.

The report also noted a slight increase in militant activity in Sindh, where four attacks were reported during June compared with only one in the previous month.

Punjab witnessed only a single militant attack during the reporting period, while Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan remained free from militant attacks.

The report paints a sobering picture of the overall security landscape during the first half of 2026.

Between January and June, Pakistan recorded 2,166 conflict-related fatalities, including 1,442 terrorists, 404 civilians, 307 security personnel and 13 members of pro-government peace committees.

During the same period, 1,137 people were injured, comprising 692 civilians, 281 security personnel, 136 militants and 28 peace committee members.

PICSS observed that while the downward trend in June reflects the impact of sustained intelligence-based operations and improved security coordination, the continued occurrence of suicide bombings and other complex attacks indicates that terrorist networks remain capable of mounting lethal operations.

The report comes against the backdrop of Pakistan's deteriorating position in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, where the country ranked as the world's most terrorism-affected nation for the first time after recording a six per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths during the previous year.

Security analysts believe the June figures highlight both the effectiveness of Pakistan's ongoing counterterrorism campaign and the continuing need for sustained intelligence-led operations to dismantle militant infrastructure and prevent high-impact attacks.