Terrorist Attacks Decline 16% in June as Security Forces Kill 184 Militants: PICSS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan experienced a decline in anti-state violence and security-related incidents during June despite several high-profile terrorist attacks, according to the latest report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The Islamabad-based think tank reported that Pakistani security forces killed 184 terrorists during intelligence-based operations and security engagements, accounting for the majority of the 262 total fatalities recorded during the month.

The report stated that 52 civilians and 26 security personnel also lost their lives in terrorist incidents and security operations across the country.

A total of 134 people were injured during June, including 63 civilians, 50 security personnel, 18 members of pro-government peace committees, and three terrorists.

Violence Declines Compared to May

Compared with May, June witnessed a significant improvement in the country's security situation.

According to PICSS, fatalities among security personnel dropped by 62 per cent, while civilian deaths declined by 27 per cent. Terrorist deaths also decreased by 32 per cent.

The number of injured also fell sharply, with casualties among security personnel declining by 43 per cent, civilian injuries by 57 per cent, and terrorist injuries by 67 per cent.

Kidnapping incidents also fell considerably, with 27 abductions reported in June compared to 54 in May, representing a 50 per cent decrease. During the same period, Pakistani security forces arrested at least 27 suspected terrorists.

Terrorist Attacks Drop, But Suicide Bombings Continue

The report recorded 108 terrorist attacks nationwide during June, down from 128 attacks in May, reflecting a 16 per cent reduction.

Despite the overall decline, PICSS warned that Pakistan continued to face high-impact attacks, including four suicide bombings during the month.

Three of those were vehicle-borne suicide attacks, including the June 27 bombing targeting Sindh Rangers in Karachi, which claimed the lives of three security personnel.

By comparison, May witnessed six suicide attacks, including four vehicle-borne bombings.

Provincial Security Situation

Balochistan recorded the most notable improvement, with terrorist attacks falling from 71 in May to 49 in June, a 31 per cent decline.

The merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also saw attacks decrease from 22 to 17, representing a 23 per cent reduction.

However, the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced a slight rise in violence, recording 37 attacks in June compared to 32 in May, an increase of 16 per cent.

One of the month's deadliest incidents occurred on June 9, when terrorists attempted to seize a Federal Constabulary post in Peshawar's Hassan Khel area. Six security personnel were martyred and four others injured before security forces killed eight attackers in the retaliatory operation.

Sindh also witnessed a rise in militant activity, with four attacks reported during June compared to one attack in May.

Punjab recorded only one terrorist attack, while Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan remained free from militant attacks throughout the month.

First Half of 2026

According to PICSS, the first six months of 2026 have resulted in 2,166 fatalities, including 1,442 terrorists, 404 civilians, 307 security personnel, and 13 members of pro-government peace committees.

Another 1,137 people were injured during the same period, including 692 civilians, 281 security personnel, 136 terrorists, and 28 peace committee members.

The report comes after Pakistan ranked first on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, recording a 6 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths compared to the previous year.