Abdul Sayed and Riccardo Valle
The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has confirmed that it has operational bases in Pakistan’s Balochistan province and has formally declared war against Baloch separatist groups, following what it claims were attacks on its camps. The announcement signals a potential escalation in ISKP’s attacks across the Pakistan-Afghanistan region.
According to ISKP, Baloch separatists launched an assault on its camps in the Mastung district of Balochistan in March, resulting in the deaths of 30 ISKP members stationed there. In response, the group has issued threats of retaliatory attacks targeting both the separatists and their supporters. ISKP further accused Baloch separatist factions of forming an alliance with the Afghan Taliban, declaring them, like the Taliban, as its primary adversaries.
ISKP made its declaration of war against Baloch separatists and acknowledged the existence of its bases in Balochistan through a 36-minute Pashto-language video titled “The Mastung incident and the conspiracy of the infidels,” released by ISKP’s Al-Azaim Media on May 25.
The confirmation of an ISKP operational presence in Balochistan marks a significant admission, shedding light on the group’s efforts to survive in the region following the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Afghanistan. The recent video highlights several key aspects indicating a shift in ISKP’s strategic approach, as it seeks to reestablish itself after being forced to flee Afghanistan due to Taliban offensives.
This piece presents a critical analysis of the discussions featured in the Al-Azaim video, followed by an analysis of Balochistan’s emergence as a new sanctuary for ISKP in the region since 2023, as well as an overview of the group’s evolution in the province.
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