Islamabad:After a decline in violence in December 2025, the first month of the new year witnessed a renewed surge in anti-state violence, resulting in increased fatalities among militants, civilians, and security personnel. Balochistan emerged as the primary region of both militant activity and security force operations.
According to statistics released by the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), combat-related deaths in January 2026 rose by 43 percent compared to December 2025. A total of 361 people were killed during the month, including 242 militants, 73 civilians, and 46 security force personnel. At least 135 people were injured, among them 71 civilians, 52 security personnel, and 12 militants.
Security forces arrested at least 60 suspected militants during the month, while militant groups kidnapped eight individuals. Compared to the previous month, civilian deaths increased by 143 percent, militant deaths by 35 percent, and security force fatalities by seven percent.
PICSS reported that January saw 87 militant attacks nationwide, marking a 28 percent increase from the 68 attacks recorded in December 2025. Of these, 38 attacks occurred in mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20 in the province’s tribal districts (erstwhile FATA), 27 in Balochistan, and two in Punjab.
Although Balochistan experienced relative calm for much of the month, violence escalated sharply during its final two days. Simultaneous attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) at atleast 12 locations, followed by intensified security force operations, brought the province into sharp focus.
The month recorded at least three suicide attacks, two of them in Balochistan and claimed by the BLA. The province also witnessed the deaths of at least 172 militants—the highest monthly militant toll since the current wave of militancy began in Balochistan in 2001. Most of these deaths occurred during the final two days of January.
Punjab reported only two militant attacks during the month; however, a coordinated crackdown by security forces was carried out across central Punjab, including Lahore, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Mianwali. At least 53 suspected militants were arrested during these operations, 48 of them from the provincial capital, Lahore. No militant attacks were reported during January from Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad, or GB.
