By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD -  Pakistan recorded a 37 percent decline in terrorist attacks in October, while deaths and injuries resulting from the attacks fell by 57 percent and 71 percent, respectively, according to a report released by the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). However, a sharp rise in kidnappings, particularly in Balochistan, remained a major security concern.

Pakistan experienced 143 terrorist attacks in October, compared with 226 in September, reversing two consecutive months of rising militant violence, PICSS said.

The attacks killed 111 people, down from 260 in September. The number of injured also dropped sharply, from 242 to 69.

- Security operations and casualties

Terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations by security forces collectively resulted in 272 deaths and 71 injuries in October, according to PICSS.

Those killed included 53 security personnel, five peace committee members, 45 civilians and 169 militants. The injured comprised 29 security personnel, 11 peace committee members and 31 civilians.

A rolling 12-month comparison showed that injuries resulting from terrorist attacks reached their lowest monthly level in the period. The combined number of injuries from attacks and security operations, as well as injuries among security personnel, also fell to 12-month lows.

The 169 militants killed in October represented the lowest monthly militant death toll in the past year.

- Suicide attacks decline sharply

Pakistan recorded one suicide attack in October, compared with three in September. The October incident involved a vehicle-borne suicide attack but caused no deaths or injuries.

The three suicide attacks in September, including two vehicle-borne attacks, had killed 45 people and injured 138. Consequently, fatalities and injuries from suicide attacks both declined by 100 percent in October, PICSS said.

Security forces continued counterterrorism operations across the country, killing 156 militants and arresting seven suspected militants during the month.

Two security personnel and three civilians were killed during these operations, while two security personnel were injured.

- Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa see major improvements

Balochistan recorded one of the most significant improvements in security indicators. Terrorist attacks fell by 46 percent, from 132 in September to 71 in October.

Deaths resulting from attacks declined from 136 to 44, a reduction of approximately 68 percent, while injuries fell from 63 to 37, down 41 percent.

Security operations in the province resulted in the killing of 79 militants. Three civilians were killed and two security personnel injured during these operations.

In mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excluding the former federally administered tribal areas, attacks declined by 31 percent, from 58 to 40.

Deaths from attacks fell from 90 to 38, while injuries dropped from 165 to 19, an 88 percent decrease. Counterterrorism operations killed 42 militants, while two security personnel lost their lives.

The province's merged districts, formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), recorded 30 attacks in October, compared with 34 in September, a decline of 12 percent.

Deaths from attacks decreased from 33 to 25, but injuries rose slightly from 11 to 13. Security operations in the districts resulted in the killing of 35 militants.

- Attacks in Punjab, no attacks reported in Sindh

Punjab recorded two terrorist attacks in October, compared with none in September. The incidents killed four people but caused no injuries.

Sindh reported no terrorist attacks during the month, although counterterrorism operations resulted in the arrest of seven suspected militants.

Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan also remained free of recorded terrorist attacks in October.

- Kidnappings reach a 12-month high

Despite the overall decline in attacks and casualties, kidnappings increased significantly.

PICSS recorded 88 people kidnapped in terrorist incidents nationwide in October, compared with 72 in September, an increase of 22 percent. This was the highest monthly kidnapping figure in the preceding 12 months.

Balochistan accounted for 70 kidnappings, nearly 80 percent of the national total. The figures indicate that kidnapping remains a significant tactic used by militant groups despite the decline in attacks.

- Overall violence remains higher than in 2025

The monthly improvement comes against a backdrop of rising violence over the longer term.

Pakistan recorded 1,376 terrorist attacks during the first ten months of 2026, according to PICSS. Attacks and counterterrorism operations collectively resulted in 3,902 deaths, including 645 security personnel, 65 peace committee members, 595 civilians and 2,597 militants.

Another 1,953 people were injured during the January-October period. They included 639 security personnel, 62 peace committee members, 1,055 civilians and 197 militants.

Compared with the corresponding period in 2025, terrorist attacks increased by 53 percent and the combined death toll rose by 36 percent.

While October's figures point to a substantial month-on-month improvement, the year-to-date data underscore the continuing security challenges facing Pakistan.