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Afghan border closure, fewer terror attacks in Pakistan

Sunday, 04 January 2026 2:33 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 04 January 2026 2:33 PM ]

Afghan refugees wait to register in a camp near the Torkham Pakistan-Afghanistan border. (AP file photo)

Pakistan has recorded a decline in militant attacks and related fatalities since closing its border with Afghanistan in October.

Official figures show a gradual reduction in incidents through November, followed by a sharper drop in December, particularly in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

This is a common trend in Pakistan, we always manage the problem. We did not solve the issue.

So in my view, closing up borders with the neighbors is a temporary solution, but not a permanent solution.

… Since October, many military officers sacrificed their lives due to terrorist violence. So it's true that the terrorism issue is not only international, but is [sic] internal.

Abdullah Mohmand, Foreign Policy Expert

Pakistan sees decline in attacks after Afghanistan border closure

Pakistan sees decline in attacks after Afghanistan border closure

Pakistan records a decline in militant attacks and related fatalities since closing its border with Afghanistan in October.

Security officials say tighter border controls have disrupted militant logistics and infiltration routes.

Analysts caution, however, that multiple factors influence security trends and stress the need for sustained enforcement and intelligence coordination to determine whether the decline can be maintained.

Yes, due to the border closure with Afghanistan, there has been a reduction in terrorist activity in KPK province in Balochistan, but not the other hand.

Just traders from Punjab alone are facing an 80 billion rupee loss every month since the border closure; similar losses are being endured by the Afghan traders.

The governments of both the countries need to differentiate the security concerns from trade and sit down for dialog, now.

No matter how grave the situation is, one must never leave table talks; communication is key.

Ehtisham Kiyani, Analyst

Afghan, Pakistani forces exchange heavy fire

Afghan, Pakistani forces exchange heavy fire, shattering fragile ceasefire

Afghan and Pakistani forces exchange intense gunfire along their shared border, sharply heightening tensions between the neighboring countries.

Experts note that data is likely to shape Pakistan's broader counterterrorism strategy as policymakers weigh border management, regional coordination and internal security measures.

Observers say the coming months will be critical in assessing whether the current trend reflects a lasting shift or a temporary fluctuation.

If we combine the figures of the last 10 years, actually, this was the deadliest year for Pakistan.

It's been deadly for not only our armed forces, but also the police and the terrorists from DTP. … a truly damaging year.

This decline in terrorist activity is temporary, but if we want definite peace, we must have productive dialog.

Saqib Saeed, Analyst

Pakistan's recent security data suggests that border policy is now central to the country's security calculations, balancing operational effectiveness, regional coordination, and, its long-term counterterrorism objectives.