Pakistani Security Report Links Border Closure with Afghanistan to Decline in Terror Attacks

Pakistan’s Center for Research and Security Studies has reported that the restriction and closure of border crossings with Afghanistan have been accompanied by a significant decrease in cross-border terror attacks and violence-related casualties in the country.

According to the report, terror attacks in Pakistan fell by approximately 17% in December, following a 9% decrease in November. The agency notes that casualties from terrorist violence among civilians and security forces also declined in the last three months of 2025, with decreases of about 4% and 19% in November and December, respectively.

However, the report emphasizes that despite these temporary declines, the year 2025 was Pakistan’s most violent year in the past decade due to an overall increase in violence. Annual data show that total violence rose by about 34% compared to the previous year.

The Center for Research and Security Studies recalled that since 2021, coinciding with the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, Pakistan has witnessed a continuous rise in violence for several consecutive years, a trend that has sparked widespread security concerns in the country.

Another section of the report states that a comparison between 2024 and 2025 indicates a sharp increase in terrorism-related fatalities and counterterrorism operations across Pakistan. The number of deaths rose from 2,555 to 3,417.

Based on these findings, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was the most insecure region in Pakistan in 2025, registering a significant rise in fatalities compared to the previous year and accounting for the majority of the country’s overall increase in casualties. Balochistan province also experienced a rise in deaths, reflecting an upward trend in violence.

This report comes amid repeated accusations by Pakistani officials against the Taliban administration for harboring armed groups opposed to the Pakistan government, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. While these allegations have consistently been denied by the Taliban administration, ongoing violence and insecurity in border areas continue to raise questions and criticism regarding the Taliban’s role and responsibility.