A notable 35 per cent decline in combat-related fatalities was recorded across Pakistan in March, coinciding with the launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, according to monthly data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
The Islamabad-based think tank reported that 331 people were killed in March, compared to 506 in February, marking a substantial reduction in overall conflict-related deaths.
PICSS noted that the decrease in fatalities occurred alongside Pakistan’s cross-border military strikes under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, which began in the last week of February and targeted militant hideouts in Afghanistan. The timing of the operation, the report suggested, may have disrupted militant networks and reduced the severity of attacks.
Despite the reduction in casualties, militant groups — including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Jamaatul Ahrar, and Ittihadul Mujahideen — announced plans to intensify attacks against Pakistan following the military strikes. However, PICSS observed that while militant activity increased, the overall lethality of these incidents declined.
Decline in Civilian and Security Force Fatalities
According to PICSS data, civilian deaths saw the most significant improvement, dropping from 132 in February to 39 in March — a 70 per cent decrease. Fatalities among security forces also declined from 80 to 59, representing a 26 per cent reduction.
Militant deaths dropped from 294 to 228 during the same period, reflecting a 22 per cent decrease.
Overall injuries related to militancy also declined by 37 per cent, with 210 people injured in March compared to 333 in February. Civilian injuries fell sharply from 259 to 98 — a 62 per cent drop — while injuries among security personnel slightly decreased from 50 to 48.
However, militant injuries increased significantly from 24 in February to 57 in March, marking a 138 per cent rise.
The report also highlighted an increase in attacks targeting pro-government peace committee members. In March, five such members were killed and seven injured, compared to no incidents reported in February.
Rise in Number of Attacks
While casualties declined, the number of militant attacks rose significantly. PICSS recorded 146 attacks in March, compared with 83 in February.
The report indicated that militant groups appear to have shifted toward more frequent but lower-intensity operations. Suicide bombings also declined, dropping from five incidents in February to just one in March.
During the month, security forces arrested 41 suspected militants, while militants abducted 19 individuals.
Provincial Breakdown
In Balochistan, 189 combat-related deaths were reported in March, down from 285 in February — a 34 per cent reduction. Civilian deaths fell dramatically from 82 to 17, while militant fatalities decreased from 176 to 145. Security force losses remained unchanged at 27 personnel.
However, injuries in the province increased. Security personnel injuries rose from four to 19, militant injuries surged from none to 47, and civilian injuries increased from 12 to 19. Security forces also arrested 26 suspected militants and militants abducted eight people in the province.
In the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly Fata), fatalities declined by 42 per cent, dropping from 95 in February to 55 in March. Security force deaths decreased from 23 to 16, while militant deaths fell sharply from 62 to 24. Civilian fatalities, however, rose slightly from 10 to 13.
Injuries in the region increased significantly from 33 to 92. Security personnel injuries rose from four to 15, militant injuries from three to eight, and civilian injuries from 26 to 69. The region also recorded seven abductions and the only suicide bombing reported in March.
In mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, fatalities remained largely unchanged, with 83 deaths recorded in March compared to 81 in February. Security force deaths declined from 27 to 16, while militant fatalities increased from 48 to 55. Civilian deaths rose slightly from six to nine.
In contrast to other regions, overall injuries in mainland KP dropped sharply from 104 in February to 33 in March.
No militant attacks were reported in Punjab during March, though security forces killed four militants in an operation. In Sindh, no attacks were recorded, but security forces arrested eight suspected militants.
Meanwhile, in Gilgit-Baltistan, security forces thwarted an attempted militant attack on a checkpost near the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, preventing any casualties.
Pakistan Tops Global Terrorism Index
Separately, Pakistan ranked first on the Global Terrorism Index 2025 for the first time, recording a six per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths, reaching 1,139 fatalities.
The report also noted that Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terrorism-related deaths for the sixth consecutive year, although the total number of attacks recorded in 2025 showed a slight decline.