A Landmark Naval Exercise Enhancing Global Maritime Cooperation: PICSS Weekly Insight 07-13 Feb, 2025
The second week of February 2025 saw a 33% decline in militant attacks across Pakistan, with 14 incidents reported compared to 21 in the previous week. The casualty count dropped by 81%, with 10 fatalities and 17 injuries, down from 55 deaths and 21 injuries recorded earlier. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) witnessed six attacks, while erstwhile FATA recorded four, Balochistan three, and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) one. No incidents were reported from Punjab or Sindh. Security forces conducted 11 counterterrorism operations, leading to the elimination of 35 suspected militants and the arrest of 15 others, with key TTP figures neutralized in KP and erstwhile FATA.
Militant groups continued their media propaganda efforts, with Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) leading in information warfare through an audio message from Bashir Zeb Baloch, a video showcasing its attack in Zehri, Khuzdar, and posters glorifying fallen fighters. The Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) expanded its outreach with a monthly attack report, a sniper attack video, and the bilingual magazine Asper, which included a message from Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch and articles on guerrilla warfare, anti-China operations, and artificial intelligence in insurgencies. BLA-Azad released footage of its Kalat attack, while Lashkar-e- Islam issued a warning against the formation of peace committees in Khyber district. The Baloch Republican Guard (BRG) had minimal activity, issuing claims for two low-intensity attacks.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announced a new district-level leadership structure, appointing key figures at the Wilayat and Tehsil levels to oversee intelligence, finance, social welfare, and propaganda. The restructuring signals TTP’s intent to strengthen operational coordination and expand its influence beyond its traditional strongholds in KP and erstwhile FATA, with appointments covering Rawalpindi and Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab. The group also sought to counter UN allegations of operating from Afghan soil, while continuing its social media outreach, including hosting a Twitter/X Space discussion.
The exchange of fire along the Line of Control (LoC) intensified, with Pakistan accusing India of planting IEDs in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) to target civilians and security personnel. Pakistan’s Foreign Office lodged a formal protest, warning that such tactics could further escalate tensions in the region. Reports indicated cross-border gunfire incidents in multiple sectors, with both sides blaming each other for violations.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation visited Pakistan, engaging in high-level discussions with government officials, the judiciary, and regulatory authorities on economic governance and anti- corruption measures. The IMF emphasized the need for structural reforms to ensure fiscal discipline and financial transparency as Pakistan seeks a long-term economic stabilization strategy.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) made significant advancements in its defense capabilities, announcing the operational deployment of new radar systems to enhance air surveillance and early warning mechanisms. Additionally, the PAF accelerated its stealth fighter jet program, aiming to develop next-generation aerial combat capabilities. The advancements come amid growing regional security concerns and a push for self- reliance in defense technology.
The AMAN 2025 naval exercise, held in Karachi and the Arabian Sea, concluded successfully, with over 60 countries participating, including the United States, China, Russia, and Iran. The exercise emphasized maritime security, counter-piracy operations, and naval interoperability, strengthening Pakistan’s role in global maritime cooperation.
In Afghanistan, the UN Security Council raised alarms over ISIS-K’s growing threat, warning that the group remains well-funded and continues recruitment in Central Asia and beyond. The Taliban faced renewed Weekly security report
accusations of benefiting from U.S. aid, while Pakistan explored diplomatic engagement through a proposed Jirga mission to Kabul. Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada called for integrating modern education with madrassa teachings, and the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice was authorized to carry weapons and armored vehicles, further consolidating the Taliban’s moral policing framework. The TAPI pipeline and Wakhan Corridor projects saw progress, though security risks persist.
The week marked a decrease in militant attacks, but insurgent groups remained active in propaganda and recruitment efforts, with TTP’s organizational restructuring, Baloch militant media campaigns, and ISKP’s growing influence shaping regional security trends. The LoC tensions, IMF-led economic governance discussions, and Pakistan’s defense modernization initiatives remained key highlights, with AMAN 2025 reinforcing Pakistan’s naval capabilities and PAF advancements enhancing air defense preparedness. To download complete report with fully charts and graphs please subscribe or login if you are a subscriber.
During the week of March 7–13, 2025, Pakistan witnessed a slight decrease in militant attacks, though the intensity of violence remained unchanged. A total of 15 militant attacks were recorded, compared to 19 in the previous week. However, the week gained significant attention due to the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a high-profile incident that unfolded over three days. The attack resulted in the tragic killing of 21 hostages — later revealed by PICSS to be off-duty security personnel traveling home — and four security forces personnel. Despite a phased rescue operation that eliminated 33 militants, the incident highlighted serious security and intelligence failures.Regionally, Balochistan saw a sharp 80% surge in militant activity, reporting nine attacks compared to five the previous week. In contrast, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) experienced a 50% drop, with three attacks, while erstwhile FATA recorded a 25% decrease, reporting three incidents. The week’s militant tactics included five targeted killings, five tactical assaults, two grenade attacks, and one each of an IED explosion, a combined suicide attack and tactical assault, and a kidnapping.Security forces carried out four counter-terrorism operations, resulting in the elimination of 12 alleged militants and the arrest of 10 […]
