Thu Jan 01 07:57:47 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

A report from Pakistan indicates a decrease in cross-border terrorism and related fatalities since closing its border with Afghanistan in October 2025. However, overall violence in Pakistan surged in 2025, making it the most violent year in a decade. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces bore the brunt of this violence, accounting for the vast majority of fatalities and incidents. Punjab and Sindh experienced comparatively less violence, while Gilgit-Baltistan saw a smaller, but significant percentage increase in fatalities.

News Article:

Pakistan Sees Drop in Cross-Border Attacks After Afghan Border Closure, But Overall Violence Soars in 2025

Islamabad, January 1, 2026 – Pakistan has reported a decline in cross-border terrorist attacks and fatalities since closing its border with Afghanistan on October 11, 2025. The closure followed accusations that Afghanistan wasn’t preventing its territory from being used by terrorists. Data from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) shows a nearly 17% drop in terrorist attacks in December, following a 9% decrease in November. Terrorism-related deaths among civilians and security forces also fell in the last quarter of the year.

Despite this positive trend, the CRSS report reveals that 2025 was Pakistan’s most violent year in a decade. Overall violence surged by approximately 34%, with fatalities rising from 2,555 in 2024 to 3,417 in 2025.

The report highlights that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province was the hardest hit, experiencing a 44% increase in violence. Balochistan also saw a significant rise in fatalities. These two provinces accounted for over 96% of all fatalities and nearly 93% of violent incidents in Pakistan during 2025.

In contrast, Punjab and Sindh provinces recorded much lower levels of violence. Gilgit-Baltistan, though least affected overall, saw a notable four-fold increase in fatalities, albeit from a very low base.

The border closure and its impact on security are expected to remain a key point of discussion between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the coming year. However, the surge in violence within Pakistan underscores the need for a broader, comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of terrorism and instability within the country.

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