How Pakistan became world’s second-most terrorism-affected country

Pakistan has risen to second place in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025.

Previously ranked fourth, it is now the second-most terrorism-affected nation globally, according to the report.

The findings also revealed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has become the world’s fastest-growing terrorist group.

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The country witnessed a steep 45 per cent rise in terrorism-related deaths, increasing from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. This spike is among the highest worldwide.

But what led to Pakistan becoming the second-most terrorism-affected country? What reasons did the report cite for this increase?

Let’s take a look:

How Pakistan became the world’s second-most terrorism-affected country

Pakistan experienced a sharp 45 per cent rise in terrorism-related deaths, climbing from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. This surge pushed the country from fourth to second place in the Global Terrorism Index, Geo News reported, citing the findings.

The number of terror attacks also more than doubled, rising from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024. This was the first time since the index’s inception that attacks in Pakistan exceeded the 1,000 mark.

Notably, the Global Terrorism Index assesses terrorism based on various factors, including attack frequency, deaths, injuries, and overall impact on the country.

As per Geo News, this escalation in violence coincided with an attack on the Bannu Cantonment in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces thwarted an attempted intrusion, killing all 16 assailants. However, the assault also claimed the lives of five soldiers and 13 civilians, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a group with links to Afghanistan, has been identified as the fastest-growing terror organisation in Pakistan. In 2024, it was responsible for over half of all terrorism-related deaths in the country, with 482 attacks resulting in 585 deaths, marking a 91 per cent increase from the previous year.

“Since the [Afghan] Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, TTP has capitalised on increased operational freedom and access to safe havens across the border. This has allowed the group to plan and execute attacks with greater impunity,” the report noted.

The number of attacks carried out by the TTP in 2024 was the highest ever recorded, while the deaths linked to the group reached their highest level since 2011.

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , both bordering Afghanistan, remained the most severely affected provinces, accounting for over 96 per cent of terrorist incidents and deaths in the country last year.

The frequency of attacks by Baloch insurgents soared from 116 in 2023 to 504 in 2024, while the death toll rose more than fourfold to 388.

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These groups have continued targeting government infrastructure, foreign investments, and Chinese-led projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), claiming that such developments exploit regional resources without benefiting the local population.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out its deadliest attack of 2024 with a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station, killing at least 25 soldiers and civilians.

Meanwhile, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISK), originally formed to challenge the Taliban, has expanded its reach beyond Afghanistan to Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and Central Asia. In 2024, the group was responsible for two of the deadliest attacks, one in Iran and another in Russia.

How AI has helped the operation of terrorist groups

A key trend specified in the GTI 2025 report is the increasing use of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), in the activities of terrorist organisations.

The report noted that groups like ISK are leveraging AI to develop their content production, ranging from sophisticated online magazines to AI-generated videos, including news broadcasts. This allows for the rapid creation of high-quality, localised propaganda.

Extremist groups are also using encrypted messaging apps to coordinate securely. Platforms such as Telegram and Rocket offer private, invitation-only spaces for communication, while the dark web serves as a hub for illicit activities and ideological exchanges, elevating the risks of exposure and radicalisation.

Where did India rank on the list? Which country was the most affected by terrorism?

India retained its 14th position in the Global Terrorism Index rankings.

Burkina Faso was ranked as the most terrorism-affected country among 163 nations.

The number of countries experiencing at least one terrorist attack rose from 58 in the previous year to 66 in 2024.

However, terrorism-related deaths declined to 7,555, marking a 13 per cent drop from 2023. This decrease followed the surge in deaths caused by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

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Overall terrorist incidents also fell by three per cent, with Myanmar, ranked 12th this year, witnessing a notable decline.

The Sahel region, which stretches from Senegal to Sudan and is home to five of the ten worst-affected countries, accounted for over half of global terrorism-related deaths, ThePrint reported.

Niger and Pakistan saw the biggest increases in terrorism-related deaths, rising by 94 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively.

With inputs from agencies