Pakistan’s own monster: TTP among deadliest terror groups after 90% spike in killings

Pakistan has recorded its largest year-on-year increase in terrorism-related deaths in a decade, with fatalities surging by 45% in 2024. According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025, the country now ranks as the second most-affected by terrorism worldwide. The primary driver of this surge is the resurgence of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a staggering 90% rise in deaths linked to its attacks.

TTP, which shares ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban, has intensified its operations, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The group carried out 482 attacks in 2024, resulting in 558 deaths, marking its highest level of violence since 2011.

TTP’s Expanding Influence and Tactics

The militant group primarily targets security forces, with police and military personnel accounting for 51% and 16% of attacks, respectively. Civilian casualties have also risen, comprising 19% of total deaths.


TTP’s preferred method remains armed assaults, responsible for nearly 72% of the deaths in 2024. However, bombings have tripled compared to the previous year, signalling a shift in the group’s operational strategy.

Afghanistan’s Role in TTP’s Rise

Experts warn that the Taliban’s control in Afghanistan has allowed TTP to expand its activities. The porous border between the two countries provides a logistical advantage, enabling militants to regroup and plan attacks. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the epicentre of TTP violence, with 96% of the group’s attacks occurring in the region.

The Pakistani military has responded with targeted airstrikes, particularly under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam launched in June 2024. However, these efforts have been met with controversy, with reports of civilian casualties in Afghanistan’s Paktika province raising diplomatic tensions.

Global Terrorism Trends: A Widening Threat

The GTI 2025 underscores a global shift in terrorism trends. The number of affected countries rose from 58 to 66 in the past year, reversing nearly a decade of decline. Islamic State (IS) remains the deadliest terrorist organisation, while lone-wolf attacks in the West have surged, accounting for 93% of fatalities in recent years.

In South Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan remain at the centre of rising militant activity. TTP’s resurgence, coupled with the Taliban’s governance in Afghanistan, presents a growing challenge to regional stability.

The evolving nature of terrorism, fuelled by new technologies and cross-border networks, continues to pose significant security threats. With Pakistan recording its deadliest year in a decade, the government faces increasing pressure to counter the TTP insurgency while managing strained relations with Afghanistan. As the crisis deepens, the effectiveness of Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy will determine the country's stability in the years ahead.