July Deadliest Month of 2026 as 606 Killed in Terror-Related Violence: PICSS Report

July 2026 emerged as the deadliest month of the year, marked by a sharp increase in violence linked to terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations across Pakistan. At least 606 people were killed and 232 injured during the month, according to a security assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The report highlights a substantial rise in fatalities among both security personnel and terrorists. Security forces suffered their highest monthly toll since January 2023, with 112 personnel losing their lives. This figure is the second-highest recorded in more than a decade, with the previous highest being 114 in January 2023, largely due to a suicide bombing in Peshawar.

Terrorist deaths also surged dramatically, reaching 401 in July, the highest number recorded in a single month over the past decade. The month also saw the deaths of 74 civilians and 19 members of peace committees, with the latter also experiencing their highest monthly death toll in ten years. The number of injured included 101 security personnel, 103 civilians, 14 peace committee members, and 14 terrorists.

The security situation deteriorated most significantly in Balochistan, where the overall death toll increased by 241% from June to July. Security personnel deaths in the province saw an unprecedented rise of 933%, from six to 62. Terrorist deaths climbed from 75 to 238, while civilian deaths increased by 93%, from 28 to 54. Eighteen members of peace committees were also killed in Balochistan.

Mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also recorded a significant increase in violence, with 154 deaths in July compared to 75 in June. Security personnel deaths rose from 12 to 38, and terrorist deaths increased by 192%, from 37 to 108. Civilian deaths in this region, however, declined by 73%. The merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw a slight decline in overall deaths.