March 2, 2026
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD
Combat-related fatalities in Pakistan surged by 30 per cent in February 2026, driven by a sharp increase in suicide bombings across the country, according to monthly data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.
The report documented 470 deaths and 333 injuries during the month. Among the dead were 96 civilians, 80 security forces personnel and 294 militants. Of the injured, 259 were civilians, 50 security personnel and 24 militants.
Compared to January, the data reflected a 74pc surge in the deaths of security forces personnel, a 32pc increase in civilian fatalities and a 21pc rise in militant deaths.
Violence intensified markedly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its merged districts (erstwhile Fata). The region recorded 53 security forces personnel and six civilians killed, while 35 security personnel and 48 civilians sustained injuries. Three suicide bombings in the province during February claimed 17 lives — including 14 security personnel — and injured 20 civilians.
According to the report, the spike in attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led to Pakistan carrying out cross-border air strikes, followed by military clashes with Afghanistan.
The capital region also witnessed a major attack. A suicide bombing in the suburbs of the Islamabad Capital Territory left at least 34 people dead and 165 injured.
In Punjab, a suicide bombing in Bhakkar district killed two police personnel and injured four others.
The eight suicide attacks recorded in the first two months of 2026 account for nearly half of the total number of such incidents reported in 2025, when 17 attacks were documented. The report described this as “a dangerous trend of rising suicide bombings.” Security forces also apprehended a would-be suicide bomber during the month.
In contrast, Balochistan recorded a visible decline in militant attacks following the launch of a retaliatory operation, “Raddul Fitna-1”, by security forces earlier in February. Security operations in the province resulted in the killing of 176 militants.
Overall, data compiled by PICSS for the first two months of 2026 indicates 831 combat-related deaths nationwide, including 536 militants, 169 civilians and 126 security forces personnel.