November sees sharp rise in terror attacks in Pakistan, civilians bear brunt
Pakistan
PICS reported that the total number of terrorist incidents rose by approximately 9%, with 97 attacks nationwide in November compared to 89 in October
ISLAMABAD (Zeeshan Yousafzai) - Pakistan witnessed notable surge in terror attacks during November, with militants targeting mostly civilians, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICS).
The think tank highlighted that militants from groups linked to Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan are increasingly attacking “soft targets,” resulting in a sharp rise in civilian casualties.
During November, 54 civilians were killed in terrorist attacks—an 80% increase compared to 30 in October. In addition, 25 security personnel and 7 members of peace committees lost their lives, while 83 security officers, 67 civilians, and 4 peace committee members were injured across the country.
PICS reported that the total number of terrorist incidents rose by approximately 9%, with 97 attacks nationwide in November compared to 89 in October. Suicide attacks also saw a rise, with four incidents recorded during the month—one each in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the former FATA region — compared to just one in October.
Security forces conducted targeted operations across the country, killing 206 militants. Major operations in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the former FATA region resulted in 137 and 58 militants killed, respectively. Authorities described November as one of the deadliest months for militant groups, with intensified counter-terrorism measures significantly impacting their operations.
According to PICS data, 2025 has become the deadliest year for militants since 2015, with 1,940 terrorists killed nationwide between January and November. Analysts noted that while militant attacks are increasingly lethal, improved security operations have substantially disrupted their networks.
The report underscores the urgent need for sustained vigilance as militants continue to target civilians and security forces, highlighting ongoing challenges in counter-terrorism efforts across Pakistan.
