Pakistan witnessed its deadliest month of 2026 as militant attacks, bombings, and counterterrorism operations intensified across the country.

According to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), 606 people were killed and 232 injured during terror attacks and security operations in July 2026. The report highlights a sharp escalation in violence across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militants reportedly used IEDs and quadcopter attacks to target infrastructure.

Pakistan's Deadliest Month of 2026 | Terror Attacks Surge Across Balochistan & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Tensions continue to escalate in Balochistan as prominent activist Mir Yar Baloch claims Pakistan has lost control over 85% of the province. The activist says Baloch nationalist groups now control key natural resources, including gas fields, coal mines, and mineral reserves, while calling on the international community to recognize Balochistan's independence. The developments come amid rising violence in the province, where Pakistan's military has reported deadly clashes with Baloch insurgent groups. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks in recent months, highlighting the growing security crisis.


Balochistan independence movement grows | Activist claims Pak has lost control over 85% territory

Pakistan's military says insurgents have killed 18 police officers who were abducted earlier this week, while 11 soldiers were killed in a separate attack in the country's troubled southwestern region. The deadly incidents mark a significant escalation in violence as insurgent groups intensify attacks on security forces and civilians. The latest bloodshed has renewed concerns over security and stability in the region, where armed groups have become increasingly active in recent years.

Pakistan insurgency escalates: 18 abducted policemen and 11 soldiers killed

Pakistan witnessed a rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=terror+attacks" rel="dofollow">terror attacks</a>, with at least 685 members of security forces losing their lives in 2024, making it the deadliest year for the civil and military security forces of the country in a decade.&nbsp;
There have been a total of 444 terror attacks in 2024.&nbsp;
Moreover, there were 1,612 fatalities reported this year, accounting for over 63 per cent of the total recorded.
The security forces conducted a total of 59,775 operations this year, during which "925 terrorists" were killed and 383 "brave officers and soldiers lost their lives, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-afghanistan-three-taliban-soldiers-dead-amid-clashes-along-border-8574075" rel="dofollow">One Pakistani, Three Taliban soldiers dead amid clashes along border</a>
The data was revealed by ISPR Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry during a press conference last week.&nbsp;
Further, the overall fatalities this year broke a nine-year record and were over 66 per cent more than last year.&nbsp;
On average, nearly seven lives were lost daily, with November being the deadliest month compared to all others of 2024.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-launches-strike-at-pakistan-islamabad-retaliates-sources-8572924" rel="dofollow">Afghanistan Taliban forces launch strike at Pakistan; Islamabad retaliates: Sources</a>
Notably, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the violence was at its highest, with 1616 fatalities reported, followed by Balochistan with 782 fatalities.
According to a think tank's report, the country saw 2,546 violence-linked fatalities and 2,267 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws.&nbsp;
As compared to 2023, this year witnessed an over 66 per cent surge in violence, over 55 per cent more injuries, and around 49 per cent more incidents.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-launches-airstrike-in-afghanistan-civilians-suffer-no-official-confirmation-from-islamabad-786628" rel="dofollow">Pakistan launches overnight airstrike on Afghanistan, targets Taliban hideouts</a>
<h2>Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's scenario</h2>
According to a report, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounted for 94 per cent of all fatalities and 89 per cent of all incidents across Pakistan.
&ldquo;Moreover, the data collected over the last 10 years shows a sharp downward trend from 2015 to 2020, with fatalities declining each year by around 33 per cent on average. This 6-year-long decline, and in fact, an encouraging trend in Pakistan&rsquo;s security landscape,&nbsp; was followed by a resurgence in 2021. This is evident from the fact that violence in the country constantly surged by 38% spike in 2021, 15% in 2022, 56% in 2023 and 66% in 2024 (almost 44% yearly surge in violence on average since 2021),&rdquo; the report stated.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World: The security forces conducted a total of 59,775 operations this year, during which "925 terrorists" were killed and 383 "brave officers and soldiers lost their lives. 

Pakistan witnessed a rise in terror attacks, with at least 685 members of security forces losing their lives in 2024, making it the deadliest year for the civil and military security forces of the country in a decade. There have been a total of 444 terror attacks in 2024. Moreover, there were 1,612 fatalities reported this year, accounting for over 63 per cent of the total recorded. The security forces conducted a total of 59,775 operations this year, during which "925 terrorists" were killed and 383 "brave officers and soldiers lost their lives, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Also read: One Pakistani, Three Taliban soldiers dead amid clashes along border The data was revealed by ISPR Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry during a press conference last week. Further, the overall fatalities this year broke a nine-year record and were over 66 per cent more than last year. On average, nearly seven lives were lost daily, with November being the deadliest month compared to all others of 2024. Also read: Afghanistan Taliban forces launch strike at Pakistan; Islamabad retaliates: Sources Notably, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the violence was at its highest, with 1616 fatalities reported, followed by Balochistan with 782 fatalities. According to a think tank's report, the country saw 2,546 violence-linked fatalities and 2,267 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws. As compared to 2023, this year witnessed an over 66 per cent surge in violence, over 55 per cent more injuries, and around 49 per cent more incidents. Also read: Pakistan launches overnight airstrike on Afghanistan, targets Taliban hideouts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's scenario According to a report, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounted for 94 per cent of all fatalities and 89 per cent of all incidents across Pakistan. “Moreover, the data collected over the last 10 years shows a sharp downward trend from 2015 to 2020, with fatalities declining each year by around 33 per cent on average. This 6-year-long decline, and in fact, an encouraging trend in Pakistan’s security landscape, was followed by a resurgence in 2021. This is evident from the fact that violence in the country constantly surged by 38% spike in 2021, 15% in 2022, 56% in 2023 and 66% in 2024 (almost 44% yearly surge in violence on average since 2021),” the report stated. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan witnesses 'deadliest year' for security forces amid violence surge

Schools and universities in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad were declared shut on Monday (Jan 22) over security threats, according to media reports citing the local police. The closure order was issued amid reports that the law enforcement had received the threat of a suicide attack.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the&nbsp;Islamabad police, in a post on X, late Monday asked people not to believe the "fake" notification being issued for the closure of businesses and educational institutions and being attributed to their officials.&nbsp;

<h2>What we know so far</h2>

Inspector Inamullah Khan at Islamabad’s police control told Bloomberg that the police received the threat of a suicide attack. However, he did not identify the terrorist group that issued the threat.

Parents received messages&nbsp;from&nbsp;schools on Monday morning,&nbsp;urging them to pick up their children a few hours after they had dropped them off,&nbsp;according to Arab News.&nbsp;

Additionally, an Islamabad police official told AFP on condition of anonymity that three universities affiliated with Pakistan’s military, the National Defence University, Bahria University and Air University in Islamabad were “shut down because of potential threats”.&nbsp;

The institutions, tied to Pakistan’s army, navy and air force, respectively, have been closed indefinitely.&nbsp;

Multiple media reports citing sources said that the attack was planned at&nbsp;Bahria University and could involve sending a female suicide bomber.

“Due to security reasons...all faculty and staff, except security and necessary admin staff, will work from home,” said a text sent to Bahria University students and seen by AFP.

The fourth university which received the threat was a&nbsp;public institute&nbsp;named&nbsp;Quaid e Azam University, which will reportedly be closed for a week.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan Elections 2024: Election panel faces flak ahead of polls

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The closure also comes after Pakistan’s security agencies conducted a search operation in the suburbs of Islamabad late Sunday (Jan 21), reported Geo News.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-launches-attack-in-iran-day-after-deadly-balochistan-strike-report-681019">Pakistan retaliates with multiple strikes in Iran a day after deadly Balochistan attack</a>

According to media reports, the university administration told the students about the indefinite closure late Sunday night.&nbsp;The announcement will also affect the upcoming exams.&nbsp;

Several messages sent to students and parents informing&nbsp;them about the closure also said that the exams and tests are postponed.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Islamabad police issued a statement late Monday asking people not to&nbsp;believe the "fake" notification about the closure of schools, colleges, and business centres attributed to Deputy Commissioner Islamabad circulating on social media.

<h2>Rise in violence, upcoming&nbsp;elections</h2>

Pakistan is set to vote in general elections on February 8 amid overlapping political, economic and security crises. Islamabad has recently witnessed a rise in violence along its border regions since the Taliban surged back to power in Afghanistan in 2021.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-violence-linked-deaths-in-2023-at-a-six-year-high-shows-data-675496">Pakistan: Violence-related deaths in 2023 at a six-year high, shows data</a>

In 2014, the Pakistan Taliban stormed an army public school in the northwestern provincial capital of Peshawar and killed more than 150 people, most of them children.&nbsp;

Pakistan recorded an alarming surge in incidents of violence in 2023 with 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1463 injuries from as many as 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations. This also included nearly 1,000 deaths among civilians and security personnel.

Overall deaths have been at a record six-year high since 2017, according to a report by the Centre for the Research and Security Studies (CRSS).&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Schools and universities in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad were declared shut on Monday (Jan 22) over security threats, according to media reports citing the local police.

Schools and universities in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad were declared shut on Monday (Jan 22) over security threats, according to media reports citing the local police. The closure order was issued amid reports that the law enforcement had received the threat of a suicide attack. Meanwhile, the Islamabad police, in a post on X, late Monday asked people not to believe the "fake" notification being issued for the closure of businesses and educational institutions and being attributed to their officials. What we know so far Inspector Inamullah Khan at Islamabad’s police control told Bloomberg that the police received the threat of a suicide attack. However, he did not identify the terrorist group that issued the threat. Parents received messages from schools on Monday morning, urging them to pick up their children a few hours after they had dropped them off, according to Arab News. Additionally, an Islamabad police official told AFP on condition of anonymity that three universities affiliated with Pakistan’s military, the National Defence University, Bahria University and Air University in Islamabad were “shut down because of potential threats”. The institutions, tied to Pakistan’s army, navy and air force, respectively, have been closed indefinitely. Multiple media reports citing sources said that the attack was planned at Bahria University and could involve sending a female suicide bomber. “Due to security reasons...all faculty and staff, except security and necessary admin staff, will work from home,” said a text sent to Bahria University students and seen by AFP. The fourth university which received the threat was a public institute named Quaid e Azam University, which will reportedly be closed for a week. WATCH | Pakistan Elections 2024: Election panel faces flak ahead of polls The closure also comes after Pakistan’s security agencies conducted a search operation in the suburbs of Islamabad late Sunday (Jan 21), reported Geo News. ALSO READ | Pakistan retaliates with multiple strikes in Iran a day after deadly Balochistan attack According to media reports, the university administration told the students about the indefinite closure late Sunday night. The announcement will also affect the upcoming exams. Several messages sent to students and parents informing them about the closure also said that the exams and tests are postponed. The Islamabad police issued a statement late Monday asking people not to believe the "fake" notification about the closure of schools, colleges, and business centres attributed to Deputy Commissioner Islamabad circulating on social media. Rise in violence, upcoming elections Pakistan is set to vote in general elections on February 8 amid overlapping political, economic and security crises. Islamabad has recently witnessed a rise in violence along its border regions since the Taliban surged back to power in Afghanistan in 2021. ALSO READ | Pakistan: Violence-related deaths in 2023 at a six-year high, shows data In 2014, the Pakistan Taliban stormed an army public school in the northwestern provincial capital of Peshawar and killed more than 150 people, most of them children. Pakistan recorded an alarming surge in incidents of violence in 2023 with 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1463 injuries from as many as 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations. This also included nearly 1,000 deaths among civilians and security personnel. Overall deaths have been at a record six-year high since 2017, according to a report by the Centre for the Research and Security Studies (CRSS). (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan: Schools and universities across capital shut over ‘suicide attack’ threat

Pakistan is all set to announce its first ever national security policy, this according to reports will cover all internal and external security aspects including the situation in Afghanistan and its ramifications in the region.

Pakistan is all set to announce its first ever national security policy