Pakistan is facing a severe and relentless wave of violence, with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces at the epicenter of escalating terrorist attacks. Over the past few months, the security situation has deteriorated rapidly, with almost daily assaults on law enforcement agencies, security convoys, and civilians. The situation is aggravated by cross-border tensions, particularly with Afghanistan, and an increasingly strained relationship with Iran.
Three recent attacks illustrate the intensifying crisis. On March 11, the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar was ambushed by militants linked to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The train, carrying 440 passengers, was intercepted, and passengers were held hostage. A major operation was launched by Pakistan’s security forces, lasting two days and resulting in casualties on both sides. Investigations by The Washington Post later revealed that the weapons used by the attackers were remnants from the U.S. military’s hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, raising grave concerns about how these arms have made their way into the hands of anti-state actors operating in Pakistan.
Just weeks later, a deadly bomb attack struck a police bus in the Mastung district of Balochistan on Dasht Road. The bus, carrying 35 personnel of the Balochistan Constabulary, was en route to provide security for a political sit-in by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal. The explosion killed three constables and wounded at least 20 others. It was a targeted attack on those providing internal security, once again exposing the vulnerability of even well-armed and organized forces.
Meanwhile, in Bajaur district of KP, a roadside bomb exploded on the Laghari-Inayat Kallay Road, injuring three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel and five civilians. The device struck a vehicle from the FC bomb disposal unit, which was attempting to clear the road. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with some said to be in critical condition. On the same day, the funeral prayers were offered for two policemen killed in South Waziristan, another area plagued by frequent attacks on law enforcement.
These incidents are not isolated. Since January 2025, Pakistan has recorded over 210 terror-related attacks in various forms—ranging from ambushes and IED blasts to suicide attacks—primarily concentrated in Balochistan and KP. According to internal security data, more than 360 people have been killed in these attacks, including around 150 security personnel, while over 500 have sustained injuries. These alarming numbers reflect a resurgence of militant activities that Pakistan had managed to suppress in previous years through comprehensive counterterrorism operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad.
However, the geopolitical dynamics have shifted. The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021 has led to the reorganization and empowerment of several terrorist outfits that operate with impunity near Pakistan’s western border. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban government of offering sanctuary to elements of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for many of the recent attacks. Despite multiple rounds of dialogue and appeals for border security cooperation, the response from Kabul has been lukewarm at best, and hostile at worst.
On the other side, Pakistan’s ties with Iran remain tense. Despite being neighbors and sharing strategic interests, both nations accuse each other of not doing enough to prevent cross-border militancy. The porous border regions of Balochistan, particularly near Iran, are often exploited by insurgents and drug traffickers, adding another layer of complexity to the security challenges. Although there have been efforts to establish joint border mechanisms, mistrust continues to undermine these initiatives.
The internal political instability in Pakistan has further exacerbated the situation. With a weakened central government and provinces struggling to coordinate an effective response, terrorist groups find more space to regroup and launch strikes. Intelligence-sharing among agencies remains fragmented, and critical reforms in police and paramilitary forces have been slow to materialize. Moreover, resource constraints and poor infrastructure in rural and tribal areas limit the state’s ability to assert control.
The broader implications of this rising violence are deeply concerning. Not only is national morale affected, but economic progress is also under threat. Investors remain wary of committing to projects in the face of mounting insecurity. Development work in mineral-rich regions of Balochistan has come to a halt, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), seen as a lifeline for Pakistan’s economy, is again under threat. Chinese workers and infrastructure have also been targeted in recent months, raising fears of a diplomatic fallout and potential slowdown of multi-billion-dollar projects.
While Pakistan’s armed forces and intelligence services continue to carry out operations against insurgents, the scale and coordination of the current wave of violence suggest a level of organization and backing that goes beyond internal dissent. The involvement of foreign intelligence networks and the flow of advanced weaponry from conflict zones like Afghanistan must be addressed urgently at the diplomatic and military levels.
The government has expressed intentions to take “decisive action,” but time is running out. Without a comprehensive strategy that includes regional diplomacy, stronger border management, economic engagement in marginalized areas, and a long-term counter-radicalization campaign, Pakistan risks slipping further into chaos. The international community, too, must recognize that instability in Pakistan could have severe ripple effects across South Asia and beyond.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
