Islamabad:A significant reduction in combat-related fatalities was recorded across Pakistan in March 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
The Institute also observed a decline in high-profile militant attacks, even as the overall number of attacks increased during the month. The PICSS research noted that the reduction in human losses coincided with Pakistan’s cross-border military strikes targeting militant positions in Afghanistan, which began in the last week of February and continued until March 18 before a ceasefire was reached.
The timing suggests these operations may have contributed to disrupting militant capacity and reducing the lethality of attacks. Notably, in response to these strikes, groups including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamat-ul-Ahrar, and Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen -- an umbrella alliance comprising Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam, and Inquilab-e-Islami Pakistan -- announced an escalation in attacks against Pakistan.
Despite this surge in militant activity, the overall impact remained comparatively limited, as reflected in the sharp decline in casualties. According to the monthly security assessment issued by the PICSS, a total of 331 people were killed in March compared to 506 in February, marking a 35 percent decline in overall combat-related deaths.
Data from the PICSS shows that civilian fatalities dropped sharply from 132 in February to 39 in March 2026, reflecting a 70 percent decrease. Security forces’ fatalities declined from 80 to 59, a 26 percent reduction, while militant deaths fell from 294 to 228, representing a 22 percent decline. The Institute further reported a 37 percent decrease in injuries, with 210 people injured in March compared to 333 in February.
Injuries among security personnel slightly declined from 50 to 48, a four percent reduction. However, militant injuries rose significantly from 24 to 57, marking a 138 percent increase. Civilian injuries saw the most notable improvement, dropping from 259 to 98, a 62 percent decrease. Despite the overall decline in casualties, the month witnessed a rise in attacks on pro-government peace committee members, with five killed and seven injured compared to none in February.
While the overall impact of violence against the state declined, militant groups increased the frequency of their activities, largely shifting towards low-intensity operations. PICSS recorded 146 militant attacks in March compared to 83 in February.
Suicide attacks dropped from five in February to just one in March. During the month, security forces arrested 41 suspected militants, while militants kidnapped 19 individuals. In Balochistan, 189 combat-related deaths were recorded in March compared to 285 in February, reflecting a 34 percent reduction. Civilian deaths dropped from 82 to 17, a 79 percent decline.
