Islamabad, December 1, 2025: Pakistan saw a slight rise in militant attacks in November, marked by an 80 per cent jump in civilian fatalities but a sharp 65 per cent reduction in security forces’ losses, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
In its latest monthly report, the Islamabad-based think tank said that, based on the PICSS militancy database, 292 people were killed and 164 injured in anti-state violence and security forces’ counter-measures across the country during November 2025. PICSS data show that militants accounted for the overwhelming majority of those killed: 206 militants, or about 71 per cent of all fatalities, were eliminated during the month. The remaining deaths included 54 civilians, 25 security forces personnel and seven members of pro-government peace committees.
The injured, PICSS reported, comprised 83 security forces personnel, 67 civilians, 10 militants and four peace committee members.
According to PICSS, November witnessed “more measured actions” by security forces, reflected in a steep decline in their own losses from 72 fatalities in October to 25 in November—a reduction of about 65 per cent. Civilian deaths, however, surged by 80 per cent, rising to 54 in November compared with 30 in October.
The PICSS report noted that the country experienced 97 militant attacks in November, up from 89 in October, representing an increase of around 9 per cent. Mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) remained the principal theatres of counter-militancy operations. PICSS figures show that 137 militants were killed in mainland KP and 58 in the tribal districts (erstwhile FATA), with the remaining militant fatalities reported from other parts of the country.
The month also recorded a notable spike in suicide attacks. PICSS documented four suicide attacks in November, compared with just one in October. One suicide bombing each occurred in Islamabad, KP, Balochistan and erstwhile FATA. These suicide attacks left 31 people dead, including 15 militants, 12 civilians and four security forces personnel. PICSS data indicate that 64 people were injured in suicide attacks, among them 41 civilians and 23 security forces personnel.
PICSS underlined that suicide bombings have increased on a year-on-year basis. The think tank said that 24 suicide attacks were recorded in the first 11 months of 2025, compared with 17 such attacks in the whole of 2024, indicating a clear upward trend in this particularly lethal tactic.
Overall, the first 11 months of 2025 have been exceptionally bloody. Citing its database, PICSS reported a total of 3,144 conflict-related deaths between January and November 2025. These include 1,940 militants, 626 security forces personnel, 563 civilians and 15 members of pro-government peace committees.
PICSS assessed that 2025 is the deadliest year for militants since 2015 and the deadliest for security forces personnel since 2014, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing confrontation between the state and militant outfits.
