PICSS Weekly Insight: 25 Sep 2026 – 01 Oct 2026

The week under review (25 September–1 October) witnessed a slight reduction in militant violence across Pakistan, with 56 attacks recorded compared with 60 during the previous week, a decline of 6.7%. Fatalities fell by 28.8%, from 73 to 52, while injuries declined by 59.8%, from 132 to 53. However, kidnappings increased sharply by 81.3%, from 16 to 29. Balochistan remained the principal theatre with 37 attacks, followed by KP with 14 and the erstwhile FATA with four, together accounting for 55 of the 56 attacks nationwide. KP recorded the highest casualty burden, with 29 fatalities and 40 injuries, while Balochistan recorded 19 fatalities and 10 injuries. Security forces conducted 19 notable operations, resulting in 65 militant fatalities, three injuries and two arrests, with Balochistan and the erstwhile FATA accounting for 63 of the militant fatalities. Although attacks and casualties declined during the week, the sharp increase in kidnappings and continued militant and security-force activity indicate that the security environment remains volatile.

The September monthly figures present a considerably more serious picture. PICSS recorded 225 militant attacks, 13% more than August and the highest monthly total in 12 years. The attacks caused 259 deaths and 242 injuries, while the combined toll from militant attacks and security-forces-initiated actions reached 545 deaths and 261 injuries. Balochistan remained the principal theatre with 131 attacks, while mainland KP recorded 58 and the erstwhile FATA 34. Kidnappings rose to 72, the highest monthly figure in a decade, while three suicide attacks caused 45 deaths and 138 injuries. During the first nine months of 2026, militant attacks increased by 52% and the combined death toll by 51% compared with the corresponding period of 2025, indicating a sustained deterioration in the internal security environment.

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations deteriorated further during the week, with Islamabad continuing to accuse the Taliban authorities of allowing the TTP, BLA and affiliated groups to operate from Afghan territory, while Kabul rejected the allegations and accused Pakistan of supporting armed groups creating troubles in Nuristan. The escalation increased on 1 October when Pakistan