Despite tensions between Pakistan and India, militants do not intensify in May: report
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an independent think tank based in Islamabad, revealed statistics showing that militant groups were unable to significantly increase their activities in Pakistan despite increased military tensions between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
According to the PICSS monthly security assessment, 113 people were killed in 85 insurgent strikes in May, up somewhat from 81 in April.
These were four members of the peace committee, eleven militants, forty-six civilians, and fifty-two members of the security forces. A total of 182 persons were hurt, including one member of the peace committee, four militants, 47 security personnel, and 130 civilians.
The number of militant attacks has increased by 5% since April. Notably, civilian injuries increased dramatically by 145 percent (from 53 in April to 130 in May) while security personnel deaths increased by 73 percent.
On the other hand, security personnel injuries dropped from 59 to 47, a 20 percent decrease.
Throughout the month, security forces conducted operations that resulted in the deaths of five security personnel and at least 59 insurgents. Five insurgents and seven security people were also injured.
52 suspected militants were also taken into custody by security authorities following a variety of intelligence-based operations.
The total number of fatalities for May, including 57 security officers, 65 militants, 46 civilians, and four members of the peace committee, was 172 when combining terrorist attacks and security operations.
Nine militants, one member of the peace committee, 54 security personnel, and 130 civilians made up the 194 injured. At least 19 people were kidnapped by militants during the month.
One notable feature of the May security environment was the 78 percent increase in security personnel deaths, which contrasted with a 68 percent decrease in militant deaths from April. Interestingly, May became the first time since October 2024 that militant deaths were in the double digits (65), a dramatic decrease from April’s 203.
Overview of the Province
With 82 of the 85 incidents that occurred nationwide, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) continued to be the most hit provinces.
The most violent region was Balochistan, where 35 militant strikes resulted in 110 injuries (94 civilians, 5 security personnel, and 1 militant) and 51 fatalities (including 30 civilians, 18 security personnel, and 3 militants). In the province, militants also kidnapped nine people. An especially sad event happened in Khuzdar, where a bomb struck an Army Public School bus, killing eight children—mostly girls—and two employees while injuring thirty-five more.
Twenty-three security officers, twelve civilians, six militants, and four members of the peace committee were among the 45 people killed in 22 militant strikes in the integrated tribal regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly FATA). 58 persons were also hurt, including one member of the peace committee, 27 civilians, and 30 security officers. Four children were murdered in a contentious quadcopter hit in North Waziristan, which sparked intense public outcry. Security officials claimed that militants had used a drone to drop the bomb, but the people insisted on an impartial investigation.
Ten security personnel and two civilian and militant fatalities were among the 14 people killed in 25 militant assaults in mainland KP (not including the tribal areas). Twelve security personnel, nine civilians, and three militants were among the twenty-four injured.
Three militant strikes occurred in Sindh, killing one security guard and two civilians.
Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) did not report any militant attacks. However, with 39 terrorists apprehended in intelligence-based operations, Punjab saw the most militant arrests. During a raid in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, security authorities killed four suspected terrorists who were allegedly connected to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
