Militant violence in Pakistan declined for a second consecutive month in April following cross-border strikes and subsequent China-mediated talks with Afghanistan, a think tank reported on Friday, pointing to improving security indicators after weeks of heightened tensions.
Decline in Attacks and Fatalities
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) documented 85 militant attacks in April, a significant drop from 146 in March, representing a 42 percent decrease. Fatalities also fell sharply, suggesting a relative easing of violence after a ceasefire agreement reached following clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border earlier this year.
According to the latest security report, the improvement follows Pakistan's cross-border military campaign targeting anti-Pakistan militant groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18. The campaign ended with a ceasefire and subsequent talks in Urumqi, China.
Background of Escalation
The fighting marked one of the most serious escalations in recent years, as Pakistan carried out strikes against what it described as militant safe havens across the border. Islamabad has long accused the Taliban administration in Kabul of facilitating cross-border attacks against civilians and security forces, allegations that Afghan authorities deny.
China intervened to host talks in Urumqi in early April, bringing officials from both sides together in an effort to de-escalate tensions and maintain open diplomatic channels, although no major breakthrough was announced.
Detailed Statistics
PICSS data revealed that fatalities from militant attacks dropped from 106 in March to 60 in April, while overall injuries declined from 210 to 131. Losses among security forces personnel fell by more than half, from 59 to 28, while civilian deaths remained broadly stable.
The report indicated that security forces operations remained intense despite the drop in attacks, with 224 militants killed in April, bringing the total number of militants killed in the first four months of the year to 988.
Regional Impact
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected province, although violence declined significantly in its tribal districts, while Balochistan also saw a sharp drop in attacks. The think tank noted that most incidents in April were low-intensity, though the month included two suicide attacks in Bannu and a high-profile assault on a mining facility in Balochistan.
Pakistan recorded no militant attacks in Punjab, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, or Islamabad during the month, though security forces carried out intelligence-based operations in these areas, arresting several suspects.
