Draft:BLA–ISKP conflict

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BLA–ISKP conflict

Map of Balochistan within Pakistan
Location
Mastung District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Balochistan Liberation Army Islamic State Islamic State – Khorasan Province

The BLA–ISKP conflict refers to a series of violent engagements between the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in and around the Mastung district of Balochistan, Pakistan.

Background

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Balochistan has long been a region affected by insurgency and militancy, with various Baloch nationalist groups, including the BLA, engaging in armed resistance against the Pakistani state. ISKP, an affiliate of the Islamic State active in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has also operated sporadically in Balochistan, particularly targeting Shi’a and other minorities.[1]

Attack on ISKP camp by the BLA

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In March 2025, BLA militants reportedly attacked and destroyed an ISKP training camp near the Bolan River in Mastung. The raid resulted in the deaths of approximately 30 ISKP members, including foreign fighters from Turkey, India, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.[2][3]

Declaration of war by ISKP

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On May 25, 2025, ISKP officially declared war on Baloch pro-independence armed groups, including the BLA. The group accused these factions of launching unprovoked attacks on its fighters in Balochistan’s Mastung district.[4][3]

The announcement was made in a 36-minute Pashto-language video released by ISKP’s media wing, Al-Azaim Foundation.[4] The narrator says ISKP had previously maintained a “non-aggression policy” towards Baloch insurgents but now considers them adversaries. “Difficult and bloody days are ahead,” the narrator warns, adding that ISKP will retaliate against Baloch insurgent groups and their supporters, just as it has fought the Afghan Taliban. The video also claims that ISKP operates training camps in the mountainous regions of Balochistan.[5][6] ISKP also released a booklet targeting nationalist movements such as the Baloch Youth Council (BYC) led by Mahrang Baloch and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) led by Manzoor Pashteen.[7]

Escalation and Clashes

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References

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  1. ^ Hummel, Kristina (2025-04-30). "The Baloch Insurgency in Pakistan: Evolution, Tactics, and Regional Security Implications". Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
  2. ^ Mohammadi, Habib (2025-04-26). "Khalilzad says credible reports indicate terrorist camps in Pakistan". Amu TV. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
  3. ^ a b "ISKP Declares War Against Baloch Separatists". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
  4. ^ a b "ISKP Declares War on Baloch 'Pro-independence' Armed Groups". The Balochistan Post. 2025-05-25. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
  5. ^ "Terrorism Update Details - iskp-declares-war-on-baloch-'pro-independence'-insurgent-groups". www.satp.org. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
  6. ^ Chakraborty, Debdutta (2025-06-05). "IS Khorasan Province declares 'war' against Baloch groups, activists. What it means for Af-Pak". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
  7. ^ Rana, Muhammad Amir (2025-06-01). "IS-K in Balochistan". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2025-06-06.