Security forces hardest hit
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reported that in July 2026, a total of 112 security personnel were killed — the highest number in a single month since January 2023. That month had 114 officers killed, with around 102 of those deaths linked to a suicide bombing at Peshawar Police Lines. This July, the security forces faced intense threats and launched aggressive operations in response. During the same period, security forces also killed 401 terrorists, marking the highest monthly total in over ten years.
The report attributes the increased casualties to a surge in terrorist violence and the government’s response through counter-terrorism operations. The rise in violence led to not just security personnel losses but also civilian casualties. In July, 74 civilians were killed alongside 19 members of peace committees. These figures underscore the devastating impact the violence had across different groups within the population.
Geographic breakdown reveals uneven impact
Balochistan bore the brunt of the violence, with the overall death toll increasing by 241% from 109 in June to 372 in July. The province saw a staggering 933% rise in security personnel deaths — from six to 62 — and a significant increase in deaths among terrorists, climbing from 75 to 238. In addition, 54 civilians and 18 peace committee members were killed in the region. These figures highlight a dramatic escalation in conflict in Balochistan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excluding the merged districts, also experienced a sharp rise in violence, with 154 deaths in July compared to 75 in June. While security forces and terrorists suffered heavily, the number of civilian deaths in the province dropped significantly by 73%. The situation in mainland KP reflects the complex nature of the ongoing conflict, with varying impacts across different population groups.
In Sindh, two terrorist attacks occurred, resulting in one death of a security officer. The province previously had 12 deaths in June. Meanwhile, Punjab, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan remained free from terrorist violence. Despite the calm, security forces in Sindh arrested six suspected terrorists, and in Punjab, three individuals were taken into custody during operations.
Suicide attacks and kidnappings spike
July also witnessed a spike in suicide attacks, with at least eight incidents recorded — the highest number in a single month in over a decade. Of these, five were vehicle-borne attacks. Kidnapping incidents doubled from June, rising from 33 to 66 during the month. These developments show the increasing tactics and scale of violence deployed by insurgents.
In terms of injuries, the report noted that 232 people were hurt in July, including 101 security personnel, 103 civilians, 14 peace committee members, and 14 terrorists. These numbers reflect a significant spike in violence and its toll across all groups. The report highlights growing concerns about the long-term trajectory of terrorism and the response by security forces in the region.
Casualty statistics paint a grim picture
The data from PICSS shows a sharp rise in all categories of deaths in July compared to June. Security personnel fatalities saw the highest increase — rising by 195% from 38 to 112. These statistics point to a rapidly intensifying conflict with severe consequences across all sectors of society.
Regional breakdown highlights variations
In the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, previously known as FATA, the overall death toll was 79 in July — a slight decrease compared to 85 in June. Injuries in the region declined by 37%, from 60 to 38. However, while terrorist deaths fell by 24% from 72 to 55, civilian deaths rose by 86%, from seven to 13. Security personnel deaths also increased slightly from six to 11 during the period. This data reflects a mixed pattern of violence and casualties across regions.
Sindh’s report was the least severe compared to other provinces. Only one security officer was killed in two terrorist attacks, compared to 12 deaths in June. The month also saw six suspected terrorists arrested during counter-terrorism operations in Sindh, showing the ongoing efforts by security forces to curb the violence.
2026 trends show alarming rise in violence
The report also looked at the cumulative impact of the first seven months of 2026. It recorded 2,786 deaths linked to terrorist violence and counter-terrorism operations, including 1,857 terrorists, 463 civilians, 434 security forces personnel, and 32 members of peace committees. On average, the number of security forces personnel killed per month increased from 56 in 2025 to 62 in 2026, while civilian deaths rose from 48 to 66 monthly. The average number of terrorists killed per month increased even more sharply, from 178 to 265.
These trends indicate a troubling escalation in violence and a significant toll on all sections of society. The report underlines the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of terrorism and to protect civilian and security forces alike.