IN the last few months, there have been reports of internal differences between two anti-Pakistan terrorist organizations; Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
Based on the reports of their infighting, some analysts misperceived that this infighting has been caused by Pakistani military or intelligence agencies or else their internal rifts are being exploited by Pakistan security agencies. An in-depth analysis of this rift reveals that there is no involvement of Pakistani security agencies in the infighting of these groups. They have their own reasons to fight against each other. Both try to reduce space for each other in the province and both are working on the agenda of external anti-Pakistan forces. As far as their anti-Pakistan terrorist activities are concerned, there is no second opinion that they leave no stone unturned to harm Pakistan and its innocent masses. Indeed, regardless of their rivalries, they work against the interest, security and ideological foundation of Pakistan.
The State of Pakistan and its security institutions are absolutely clear that their infighting is not a relief but an effort to fortify their presence in various parts of the Balochistan Province. Both repulse each other to fortify their positions and increase influence on the masses and areas. For the State of Pakistan, they are posing serious threats on two accounts; BLA is trying to disintegrate Pakistan through its sub-nationalistic dogma whereas ISKP is trying to impose its misled ideology in the garb of religion. In either case, their thoughts are against the very foundation of Pakistan, its ideology and the Constitution of the State. The reality is that, whether it is ISKP or the BLA, both terrorist outfits target Pakistani masses, its security forces, sovereignty of the State and derail its political and economic stability.
Security experts view their internal conflicts as a strategic shift rather than signs of weakness. Pakistan remains focused on eliminating all threats, without bias or complacency. Their existence alone is a threat to peace, regardless of who they fight. Pakistan stays vigilant, prepared to counter all acts of terrorism, from any quarter. Their activities have weakened Pakistani society through polarization on multiple aspects; creating fault lines and causing internal vulnerabilities. Indeed, they act as tools of foreign spying networks especially the Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad. Their goals intersect to weaken Pakistan from within. The state draws no distinction when it comes to safeguarding national interest. The ideological foundations of Pakistan remain non-negotiable. Both ISKP and BLA seek to undermine the values of unity, peace, and security. Their conflict only reinforces their shared hostility toward the state. Pakistan stands firmly to protect its ideological and constitutional boundaries. Internal conflict among terrorists doesn’t change Pakistan’s external strategy. The state does not base its security posture on the convenience of their disunity. Every group that challenges Pakistan’s peace will face the full strength of the state.
Tracing the nexus of terrorism and anti-Pakistan narratives, there are continued efforts from external forces to; cause, fuel and ultimately exploit the internal vulnerabilities in the Province of Balochistan. Very recently (Jun 12, 2025) the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI); a Washington-based Think Tank founded by Yigal Carmon (a former Israeli Intelligence Officer), launched the “Balochistan Studies Project”. He appointed Mir Yar Baloch as its Special Advisor for the project. The track record of Mir Yar Baloch indicates that he is anti-Pakistan, a proponent of Indian narratives on Balochistan and a dedicated member of the terrorist BLA. MEMRI has the intent to use people like Mir Yar Baloch for Hybrid Warfare against the State of Pakistan.
Indeed, Mir Yar Baloch has never been a voice for the people of Balochistan, rather acted as a tool of foreign spying networks like RAW and Mossad. In continuation of the hybrid warfare against Pakistan many think-tanks in the west and even Middle Eastern countries are working to formulate the anti-Pakistan narratives and sentiments. Recruitment of Mir Yar and such like other puppets is being analyzed as promotion of hybrid warfare designed to create and exploit fault lines and undermine the state from within.
Indeed, the people like Mir Yar Baloch are imposter with artificial identity and are being operated by foreign intelligence agencies mainly RAW and Mossad. Such type people do not represent the true voices of the people of Balochistan. By becoming a tool of anti-Pakistan forces, such people insult the wider masses of Balochistan Province. MEMRI’s “Balochistan Studies Project” and such like other think tanks are being heavily funded to conspire against Pakistan through hybrid warfare. Unfortunately, MEMRI is not a neutral academic institution; it promotes highly selective, partisan narratives that often align with the interests of states hostile to Pakistan.
The people of Pakistan in general and the Baloch masses in particular must understand that Pakistan is facing new forms of warfare where state and society are targeted on multiple accounts; physically, economically, socially, politically and through a perceptive form of warfare. This new trend is, indeed, hybrid warfare or else fifth-generation warfare. The enemy is no longer just at the borders; it is on our screens, attempting to poison our minds. Pakistani masses as whole and especially the people of Balochistan Province should reject all these forms of warfare and puppets of foreign think-tanks and spying networks. Let’s all be united as a nation against all forms of warfare, anti-Pakistan narratives and regional and global conspiracies.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
(drmkedu@gmail.com)
