Pakistan in May 2026: the most important developments in security
Pakistan in May 2026 was hit by a series of deadly attacks, the largest being an explosion that derailed a cargo train in the southwest on 24 May. Reports put the death toll at between 24 and 28, with at least 27 people injured, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack.
Other violence targeted police and civilians. On 9 May a car bombing killed three police officers and destroyed a security post, and on 10 May a car bomb killed 12 police officers. On 12 May nine people were killed in a blast in a market in the northwest, according to police. Separatists disrupted the Reko Diq project run by Barrick. Separately, at least 17 people were killed and 10 injured on 25 May when a van hit a parked bus.
The Iran conflict also shaped Pakistan's security agenda. On 4 May the United States transferred 22 crew members of a seized Iranian ship to Pakistan in a confidence-building move. On 6 May the US said it would close its consulate in Peshawar, citing safety concerns, and Trump briefly paused 'Project Freedom' at Pakistan's request while the blockade continued. Around 12 and 13 May, reports said Pakistan had allowed Iranian aircraft to be parked at the Nur Khan airbase, which Pakistan rejected, and Pakistan prepared an emergency plan to bring home Hajj pilgrims if the conflict escalates. On 18 May Pakistan sent 8,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned that any miscalculation by adversaries would be met with a more intense response, and Pakistan's first Chinese-made submarine was reported to be set to boost its navy. A Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jet crashed on around 20 May, and both pilots ejected safely.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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