4.2.5. Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)

The ICT is located in the northern part of Pakistan and shares internal borders with Punjab and KP provinces.958 It includes the capital city, Islamabad. The ICT does not have international borders.959 According to Pakistan’s 7^th Population & Housing Census in 2023, the ICT had a population of approximately 2.36 million,960 while Islamabad city had 1.11 million inhabitants.961

It is organised into five zones.962 The Soan and Kurang rivers are the two main streams that provide the water supply for both Islamabad and Rawalpindi.963 The rural area of the ICT includes 23 Union Councils, encompassing 129 villages, whereas the urban region is made up of 27 Union Councils.964 The ICT Administration serves as both the civil authority and the primary law enforcement body for the Federal Capital.965

According to Pakistan’s 7^th Population & Housing Census in 2023, the ICT’s population was predominantly Muslim (95,55 %), with a minority of Christians constituting 4,26 % of the total population. Smaller communities of Ahmadis (0,1 %) and Hindus (0,04 %) were also recorded.966 The most spoken language was Punjabi, followed by Pashto and Urdu. Other languages included Hindko, Saraiki, Kashmiri, and Sindhi.967

The ICT Police operated under the administrative authority of the Chief Commissioner of the ICT Administration. The police force comprised the Capital City Police, the Islamabad Traffic Police, and the Capital Security Police.968 During the reference period, the ICT Police carried out search and combing operations in various locations of the federal capital, aiming to curb criminal activities.969

The Counter Terrorism Department’s (CTD) mandate covers conducting counter terrorism operations in the ICT in collaboration with local police and other law enforcement agencies.970 In 2024, the ICT police’s CTD reportedly conducted 52 intelligence-based operations and 141 search operations, arresting at least 46 persons and recovering explosives and weapons.971 PICSS mentioned a ‘notable CTD and Intelligence Bureau operation’ in August 2025, thwarting a ‘major TTP plot’ reportedly planning to target a federal educational institution. Security forces detained an operational commander and an Afghan suicide bomber before they could act, forestalling a potentially large-scale incident.972 In 2025,973 especially in the aftermath of the November 2025 suicide attack, operations by CTD were reported in Islamabad (see also below).974

Security incidents

In early February 2026, a suicide attack inside a Shiite mosque in the ICT killed a minimum of 30 people and injured around 170 others. ISPP reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.975

In its National Security Profile covering 2025, PICSS noted that, amongst others, the ICT ‘remained comparatively stable and low in intensity when measured against Pakistan’s primary conflict zones.’ Islamabad experienced fewer attacks compared to other provinces, however, the incidents ‘carried disproportionate symbolic and psychological weight, reinforcing the nationwide reach of militant networks.’ PICSS recorded two attacks, resulting in 13 persons killed and 36 wounded. In 2025, no drone attacks were recorded in the ICT. Two security forces’ actions against militants were recorded in 2025, involving the arrest of individuals.976 SATP cites reports by The Balochistan Post mentioning that Baloch students faced enforced disappearance by Islamabad security forces in March, June and July 2025.977

The SATP recorded four978 terrorism-related incidents in the ICT in 2025, including a ‘mini-rocket’ attack on a police station, the wounding of a Frontier Corps official in the Chatha Bakhtawar area, and a suicide attack.979 On 29 November 2025, a police officer was reportedly killed in Islamabad by unidentified assailants.980 On 11 November 2025, a suicide bomber outside a court in Islamabad killed at least 12 people and wounded between 27981 and 36 people.982

According to CRSS Annual Security Report covering 2025, the ICT’s violent incidents numbers (comprising both militant attacks and violence linked to counter-terrorism operations) remained minimal, however the injury figures were relatively high, with 38 registered injuries in five incidents. Fatality numbers in the ICT declined from 26 in 2024 to 15 in 2025.983

PIPS reported one incident in 2025 causing 12 fatalities and 36 injuries. In 2024, PIPS also recorded one incident in the ICT with both one fatality and injury.984 The incident occurred in January 2024.985

In November 2024, protests were reported in Islamabad.986 Amnesty International, reported the alleged killing of 12 people in Islamabad after security forces used lethal ammunition against PTI protesters.987 According to the government, no protester was killed.988

From 1 November 2024 to 24 April 2026 ACLED reported 14 security incidents in Islamabad Capital Territory: 3 were coded as explosions/remote violence and 11 as incidents of violence against civilians.989

Figure 7: Evolution of security events coded ‘battles’, ‘explosions/remote violence’ and ‘violence against civilians’ in Islamabad Capital Territory between 1 November 2024 and 24 April 2026, based on ACLED data990

Fatalities

From 1 November 2024 to 24 April 2026 ACLED reported 51 fatalities.991

Civilian casualties

PICSS recorded 12 civilian deaths and 32 injured in 2 militant attacks in 2025.992

Impact on infrastructure

No further information on impact on infrastructure could be found during the reference period.

Displacement and return

No information could be found on conflict-related IDP or return movements from or into ICT during the reference period.