Pakistan has seen a notable drop in terrorist attacks after closing the Afghan border on October 11, 2025. The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reported that attacks fell 17% in December. Violence-linked deaths among civilians and security personnel also declined sharply in the last quarter.
The border closure followed cross-border attacks that killed 23 Pakistani security personnel and more than 200 Afghan Taliban fighters. Islamabad said the closure prevents militants from moving freely. Kabul denied harboring terrorists. Authorities have vowed to continue targeting terror groups if threats persist.
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Despite the improvements, 2025 remained Pakistan’s deadliest year in a decade. CRSS data showed 3,417 fatalities and 2,134 injuries from 1,272 incidents. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan suffered the highest casualties. Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan saw fewer deaths, indicating better security and intelligence efforts.
The report highlighted that outlaws and insurgents suffered most fatalities, while civilians and security forces accounted for most injuries. Security forces endured 374 deaths, including high-ranking officers. Police also faced heavy losses, with 216 personnel killed. Key groups involved were TTP, BLA, BLF, and ISKP.
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CRSS concluded that the border closure helped reduce cross-border violence. However, domestic terrorism and counter-terrorism operations remain intense. Authorities continue to focus on curbing attacks and protecting civilians. Experts say sustained efforts are critical to improving Pakistan’s security situation.