The new 32 percent drop in militant violence in the second quarter of 2025 is a historical event in the Pakistani security. Quite the contrary, this slowdown of the militant attacks is neither a coincidence nor a lull (although it is combining a dynamic state response, strong intelligence coordination, and a strategic transformation of how anti-terrorism is being conducted that is now starting to pay concrete dividends). This is an moment not to be ignored by a nation that has over 20 years of experience at the forefront of the battle against terrorism in the world.
However, there is less clear data on the total number of deaths in Pakistan in Q2 2025; as the report published by Arab News on July 1, indicates that the number of deaths fell overall in Pakistan, dropping to 615 in Q2 as opposed to 900 in Q1. It is not a small oscillation. An operational success story that underlines the resolve of the armed forces of Pakistan, the intelligence community, and the law enforcing agencies to take down the extremist networks across the country & country ranges; be it the harshest of terrains in Balochistan or country borders of Punjab.
The most telling aspect about this decrease maybe not only the fact the violence has been decreased, but how meticulous Pakistan is now fighting its counter-militancy war. More than half of the deathes were outlaw deaths whereas 25 percent and 21 percent were civilian and security personal respectively. This percentage says a lot regarding the professionalism of the activities carried out as the objective in these matters is not a random revenge, but the pinpoint removal of those that pose actual danger to the national security.
The report also observes a remarkably few injuries among militants which implies that the engagements are no longer defensive and mostly from intelligence and preventive actions. The Pakistani approach to counter terrorism is changing to strategic assault as opposed to passive defense.
The two restive provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have traditionally been perceived as epicenters of militancy owing to their geographic location, social economic issues and being neighbors to Afghanistan, but both have noticed 40 and 32 percent falls in violence respectively. This is particularly important considering that separatist and Taliban connected networks have been well settled in these areas.
The state has implemented a multi-pronged approach in Balochistan: military action against the insurgents on the one hand, and development (infrastructure, education and youth engagement) as a part of the wider package in Balochistan, on the other. In a similar manner, there is increased agility of law enforcement in KP, accountable community-based intelligence and advanced capabilities of border monitoring.
It should be noted that it is extremely difficult to use these territories, where the militants have deep roots over decades and borders are full of logistical and tactical challenges. The fact that this violence is not the last one to fall in this country is a credit of how much security institutions in Pakistan have improved.
The national level of violence went down but Punjab saw an increase in violence related deaths by 162 percent and Azad Kashmir reported the first deaths this year. This aspect is easily pointed out by the critics as a sign of state failure. No, it is not. Instead, it documents that in the event of the destruction of militant safe havens in the peripheries, desperate factions are being pushed into other ground.
The fast action which Pakistan took to these new challenges such as deployment of special anti-terrorist forces in Punjab as well as an upsurge in spying in Azad Kashmir, demonstrates that the state is not only conscious; it is dynamic. The state is not outmaneuvered by militants, they are being cornered.
The case of militant violence in Pakistan is becoming a model that other states struggling with similar issues take into consideration. Its accomplishments are anchored in the painful experience of Swat, Waziristan, Karachi and today Balochistan. The most important lesson is as follows: terrorism cannot be combated by the force, only. It should be filled with economic empowerment, ideological push-backs, and political inclusiveness. And this is exactly what is being taken by Pakistan.
The National Action Plan to the localized reforms of policing, the country is establishing the ground which will bring lasting peace, as opposed to the temporary quelling of violence.
Of course, it is not easy. No, it is not the end of the fight. The trend lines are however pointing in the right direction. The figures do the talking. A 32 percent reduction in militant-related violence in one quarter is a strong indication to the rest of the world and the people of Pakistan that the country is taking back the control of its internal security discourse.
Pakistan has waged, lost blood, and endured one of the longest anti-terrors waged in the 21 st century. This new setback is not a lapse in the struggle. It is a landmark on the path of stability, sovereignty and power of Pakistan.
Let no one mistake the current calm as complacency. Pakistan remains vigilant, unified, and resilient. The road ahead may be long, but the direction is undeniably right.
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