According to a report released by Center of Research and Security Studies (CRSS), there has been a sharp 32 percent decline in overall violence in Pakistan in the second quarter of 2025.
Among the main trends identified in the country security environment presented in the report, there is a significant drop in the number of people dying, effective counter-terrorism strategy adjustments, and alarming signals of spread of militancy to areas that used to be relatively calm.
It was found out through the report that the number of violent death reduced to 615 in Q2, 2025 compared to 900 in Q1 thus there was a clear pattern of definite de-escalation.
A total of 388 people were injured in the 273 incidents that were reported and some involved terrorism attacks and counter-terrorism activities.
32% decrease in number of deaths
The report also reported that the number of deaths decreased 32 percent from Q1 2025, and the number of deaths because of violence reduced 285, or 900 in Q1 and 615 in Q2.
The change is associated with improved counter-terrorism operations with an increased proportion of outlaws killed during security activities.
Violence in traditional conflict areas had diminished but the latest CRSS report revealed that the violence mainly affected the provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, though the cases had reduced drastically.
Violence in KP
K-P also experienced a decrease of 32 percent in violence where the fatalities fell by 567 (Q1) to 389 (Q2) resulting in a decrease of 80/2.
This can be claimed by successful military efforts by state on the terrorists like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a similar manner, the violence in Balochistan dropped by 40 %, and the number of deaths reduced by 317 in Q1 to 190 in Q2.
Balochistan
Nevertheless, Balochistan continues to be the cauldron of unrest characterized by the militancy of separatism and concerted targeted killings, particularly of the state instruments.
Nevertheless, over 94% of all the fatalities occurred in K-P and Balochistan, and 93% of the violence recorded during the Q2 2025 took place in these two regions.
Another alarming trend reported in the report is the expansion of violence into quieter parts.
There was a drastic increase of 162 % in deaths i.e. 8 deaths during Q1 to 21 deaths during Q2 in Punjab.
In spite of the relatively low figure of fatalities, this spike of violence signifies cautions referring to the possibility of the spread of militancy to the areas outside the traditional conflict regions.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)
On the same note Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), which has zero fatalities during the first quarter recorded six deaths during the second quarter, which is an alarming indicator of the stability of this otherwise peaceful state.
The report also enlightened the disturbing fact that the violence is still borne mainly by the civilians. Although the terrorists are the largest group that was killed, they were the first mentioned when it comes to attacks and injuries mainly on civilians.
In 107 terror attacks, civilians were victims in most of these incidences. They, also, incurred 249 injuries as opposed to the 120 sustained by the security personnel.
The report highlighted the menacing nature of the fact that terrorists are readily trying to destabilise every day life and also trying to instill fear among the regular people, as opposed to more specific and strategic attacks on particular targets.
One aspect of the report that indicates a positive growth is much advancement in the counter-terrorism undertakings.
The percentage of deaths of militants, insurgents categorized as terrorists was higher than the death percentage of the security staff and civilians.
By Q2, 2025, the proportion of fatalities among the outlaws increased to 55% as opposed to 35% between 2021 and 2024, which indicates the enhanced counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism work carried out by the state.
A Measured Sign of Progress
The 32 percent reduction in violence in Pakistan reported by CRSS in the 2nd quarter of 2025 is a step in the right direction in the establishment of peace in the country due to the war against militancy and internal violence.
Though Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are the places the conflict takes place most, the fact that the number of deaths has decreased is evidence of the better approach to countering terrorism is now in use.
But the fact that some new threats have been identified in the stable zones such as the Punjab and AJK indicates that one should be on the look-out.
In general, the figures are a careful indicator of improving a situation, demonstrating that although the security forces of Pakistan are spreading out, the problem of national stability remains constant and needs long-term strategic attention.
