New Delhi, Oct 7 (NationPress) Following the intentional strategic repositioning of militant groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to Pakistan’s volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, credible sources have revealed that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is being discreetly repurposed by the Pakistani military apparatus to target Baloch nationalists and factions within the Taliban regime that challenge Islamabad’s authority.

Significantly, new editions of ISKP’s propaganda publication 'Yalgaar' indicate a concerning pivot -- a stated goal to broaden their activities into Indian Kashmir, a strategy seemingly orchestrated and supported by Pakistan’s covert operations.

Moreover, a dossier compiled by relevant intelligence agencies, which was reviewed by IANS, states, “Pakistan is allegedly facilitating collaboration between LeT and ISKP, leveraging Lashkar’s logistical frameworks to enhance ISKP’s terrorist capabilities.”

“This rising coalition of extremist factions not only escalates the danger to Afghanistan and Balochistan but also suggests the Pakistan Army’s resolve to rekindle militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, thus undermining regional stability under the cover of deniability,” the dossier asserted.

According to high-level sources, this lethal partnership is being orchestrated by Pakistan’s infamous intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Alarmingly, a recent photograph surfaced showing ISKP’s coordinator in Balochistan, Mir Shafiq Mengal, presenting a pistol as a gift to Rana Mohammad Ashfaq, a senior commander of LeT.

This image has triggered concerns and revealed Pakistan’s deepening terrorist network under ISI’s explicit support.

Rana Mohammad Ashfaq currently holds the position of Nazim-e-Ala of LeT, supervising the group’s expansion throughout Pakistan and establishing new markaz (indoctrination and training centers), forging operational connections with other extremist organizations.

Similarly, Mir Shafiq Mengal is the progeny of former caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan, Nasir Mengal, and has long served as a crucial ISI asset.

“For over ten years, he has led a private death squad targeting Baloch nationalists. Since 2015, Mengal has also been the main facilitator for ISKP in Balochistan, managing safehouses, finances, and arms supplies,” emphasized the intelligence insights.

His involvement was also documented in a 2015 JIT report released by Pakistan’s own investigative bodies.

“By 2018, ISKP, with direct financial and logistical support from ISI, had set up two primary operational bases in Mastung and Khuzdar districts,” the report noted.

Mengal was designated as the camp commander, tasked with provisioning arms and funds.

His death squad, which has been active since 2010, has also kept eliminating Baloch insurgents on ISI’s orders.

“Mengal’s close connections with Pakistan’s political elite are well known; a 2023 photograph of him with President Asif Ali Zardari underscores his protection and influence within Islamabad’s political landscape,” the dossier stated.

After the Taliban’s ascendance in Afghanistan, ISI restructured ISKP’s operations in Balochistan.

Former Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan had claimed in an exclusive interview with IANS in August that, “Lashkar-e-Taiba is now being integrated into ISIS-Khorasan and is being utilized as a proxy force in both Balochistan and Afghanistan.”

He also stated, “Recently, we have seen groups under the ISIS banner openly declaring assaults against those advocating for Balochistan’s independence -- a clear indication of how their actions are aligning with Pakistan’s strategic goals,” dismissing claims of ideological rifts between LeT and ISKP.

In March 2025, Baloch fighters executed a significant strike on ISKP’s Mastung facility, resulting in approximately 30 terrorist fatalities. In swift retaliation, ISI directed Lashkar-e-Taiba to intervene.

“By June 2025, LeT leader Rana Mohammad Ashfaq arrived in Balochistan, followed by LeT deputy Saifullah Kasuri, who convened a Jigra urging jihad against Baloch separatists and pledging to ‘eliminate anti-Pakistan forces’ from the region,” intelligence sources reported.

“The newly surfaced image of Mengal and Ashfaq together confirms formal collaboration between LeT and ISKP,” they added.

It is now anticipated that Lashkar may begin positioning its fighters alongside ISKP in operations against Baloch insurgents, reminiscent of the group’s previous cooperation with Al Qaeda during the Afghan jihad.