Pakistan Sees Highest Terror Deaths In A Decade, Up 45 Per Cent In 2024: Global Terrorism Index 2025 Report

Pakistan has recorded its highest year-on-year increase in terrorism-related deaths in a decade, with fatalities surging 45 per cent in 2024, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025, reported The Economic Times.

The report places Pakistan as the second most-affected country by terrorism worldwide, highlighting the resurgence of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as the primary driver behind the escalating violence.

TTP's Resurgence Fuels Violence

The TTP, an extremist group ideologically aligned with the Afghan Taliban, has dramatically increased its operations, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

In 2024 alone, the group carried out 482 attacks, resulting in 558 deaths, making it TTP’s deadliest year since 2011.

Security forces remain the primary target of these attacks, with police personnel accounting for 51 per cent and military forces for 16 per cent of incidents. Meanwhile, civilian casualties have also risen, comprising 19 per cent of total deaths.

The group's tactics have evolved, with armed assaults responsible for nearly 72 per cent of all fatalities. Additionally, bombings have tripled compared to the previous year, signaling a shift toward more aggressive and destructive strategies.

Afghanistan’s Role in TTP’s Expansion

Experts warn that the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan has strengthened TTP, providing the group with operational advantages. The porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border allows militants to regroup, train, and launch attacks, making it increasingly difficult for Pakistani security forces to contain the threat.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has emerged as the epicenter of TTP’s violence, with 96 per cent of the group’s attacks taking place in the region. The province's proximity to Afghanistan-based militant networks further complicates Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts.

Global Terrorism Trends: A Growing Concern

The GTI 2025 reveals a widening threat of terrorism worldwide. The number of affected countries increased from 58 to 66 in the past year, reversing a nearly decade-long decline in global terrorist activity.

The Islamic State (IS) remains the deadliest terrorist organisation, with its influence spreading beyond the Middle East.

In South Asia, both Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the focal points of escalating militant activity. The TTP’s resurgence, combined with the Taliban’s governance in Afghanistan, presents a significant threat to regional stability.

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