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Mir Shafiq, a tribal leader from Khuzdar considered close to ISI, has been tasked with overseeing a covert operation aimed at consolidating extremist groups like LeT, JeM & ISIS
Mir Shafiq is also believed to be responsible for arranging safe houses and training camps across the province, and recruiting operatives through religious seminaries and underground cells. (News18)
Pakistan’s security establishment has appointed Mir Shafiq-ur-Rehman Mengal, a controversial figure from Balochistan, to coordinate arms and logistics supply for ISIS and ISKP in the restive province, top intelligence officials have revealed to CNN-News18.
Mir Shafiq, a tribal leader from Khuzdar and long considered close to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has reportedly been tasked with overseeing a covert operational framework aimed at consolidating extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and ISIS under a single umbrella in Balochistan.
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According to intelligence inputs, the move signals a drastic shift in Pakistan’s internal counter-insurgency tactics, allegedly outsourcing operations to radical jihadist proxies under the guise of fighting terrorism.
Sources claim that instead of continuing direct military suppression of Baloch nationalist movements, the ISI has now handed over operational control to extremist actors, with Mir Shafiq appointed to manage ISIS-linked logistics, recruitment, and covert financing channels within Balochistan.
He is also believed to be responsible for arranging safe houses and training camps across the province, and recruiting operatives through religious seminaries and underground cells.
Officials monitoring the situation suggest that Pakistan aims to create a “controlled conflict zone” in Balochistan. The intent, they claim, is to justify a permanent military presence in the province, attract Western counter-terrorism assistance, and maintain plausible deniability by framing ISIS as the sole perpetrator of any upcoming violence.
The source added that high-profile blasts in the near future may be attributed to ISIS, while the real orchestration could lie elsewhere.
The strategic goal, according to sources, may include exerting pressure on border dynamics with Iran and Afghanistan. An expanded ISKP infrastructure in Balochistan could risk a spill-over into neighbouring regions, potentially destabilising both Tehran and Kabul.
Who Is Mir Shafiq-ur-Rehman Mengal?
Mir Shafiq has long been accused by rights groups and local activists of operating a death squad with alleged backing from the ISI, targeting Baloch nationalists and dissidents. His appointment as the logistics coordinator for ISIS-linked activities marks a significant escalation, according to multiple intelligence assessments.
His deep ties to Islamist networks and his local tribal influence are believed to make him an ideal intermediary for such covert operations, sources said.
If the claims are substantiated, the development could further complicate Pakistan’s international image. While Islamabad has consistently projected itself as a victim of terrorism, critics argue that such proxy arrangements undermine its credibility and raise questions about its counter-terrorism commitments.
There has been no official comment from the Pakistan government or ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) regarding these allegations.
Regional observers say the coming months will be critical, with fears of a new wave of orchestrated violence being pinned on ISIS, potentially altering the security landscape in not just Balochistan, but across the Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan tri-junction.
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Islamabad, Pakistan
October 07, 2025, 11:54 IST
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