Pakistan violence-linked fatalities surge 83 per cent in Q3 2026: Report

According to Dawn, the CRSS report recorded at least 1,415 violence-linked fatalities and 558 injuries among civilians, security personnel and outlaws across 385 incidents.

Dawn reported that Balochistan emerged as Pakistan's worst-hit region during the quarter, accounting for nearly 59 per cent of the national fatalities. The province recorded 829 deaths, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 556 fatalities, accounting for more than 39 per cent of the national total.

Together, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for 98 per cent of all fatalities recorded during the period, Dawn reported.

Balochistan also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 186 cases, representing more than 48 per cent of the total. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed with 173 incidents, or nearly 45 per cent, according to the report.

The report said the escalation from the second to the third quarter marked the sharpest increase in violence since 2021. Balochistan saw fatalities rise by 213 per cent from 265 in Q2 to 829 in Q3, while fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased by more than 17 per cent from 475 to 556.

Dawn further reported that outlaws accounted for more than 65 per cent of total deaths, with 921 fatalities following nearly 154 security operations. Their deaths more than doubled from 453 in Q2.

Pakistan's worsening security crisis is increasingly raising questions over the consequences of its own policies. The country continues to grapple with rising violence, and mounting casualties, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The latest figures point to a deteriorating internal security situation, with Pakistan facing growing challenges from violence within its own borders and the continuing fallout of policies that have contributed to instability. (ANI)