Pakistan’s ISI: history, missions, operations, key figures, allies and functioning – everything you need to know about Pakistani intelligence.
The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is Pakistan’s principal military intelligence service. Founded in 1948, shortly after the country’s independence, the ISI has played a crucial role in Pakistan’s national security and foreign affairs. Its influence extends to strategic areas, both nationally and internationally. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the ISI, covering its history, objectives, operations, recruitment, and importance to Pakistan.
History of the ISI
The ISI was created in 1948 by Major General Robert Cawthome, a year after the partition of British India. The aim was to coordinate the various military branches and gather strategic information to ensure the security of the new Pakistani state. Initially, the ISI’s mission was to consolidate Pakistan’s intelligence capabilities, which until then had been fragmented between the various military branches.
For the first few decades of its existence, the ISI focused on monitoring Indian activities and identifying internal threats. The 1965 war between India and Pakistan was a defining moment for the ISI, which demonstrated its ability to provide critical intelligence in real time, although certain operational weaknesses were identified, prompting internal reforms.
During the 1980s, the ISI played a key role in supporting the Afghan Mujahideen against the Soviet Union, with the backing of the USA and Saudi Arabia. This period strengthened the ISI’s ability to operate beyond Pakistan’s borders, establishing effective intelligence networks. Support for the Mujahideen, as part of the CIA-funded Operation Cyclone, enabled the ISI to position itself as a key player in the Cold War, while reinforcing its expertise in clandestine operations.
In the 1990s, the ISI was also involved in activities in Kashmir, aimed at supporting groups militating against the Indian presence. These operations, although controversial, helped to maintain pressure on India and serve Pakistan’s strategic objectives in the region. The ISI has also been accused of influencing domestic politics in Pakistan, notably by supporting certain political parties in order to maintain a balance favorable to military interests.
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the ISI had to adapt its strategy in the face of the US-led war on terrorism. Pakistan, while officially allied with the United States, faced accusations of double-dealing, with the ISI suspected of maintaining links with certain Taliban factions to protect Pakistani interests in Afghanistan. This period was marked by a reorientation of ISI resources towards the fight against terrorism, while preserving networks of influence in the region.
Key people and leadership
The ISI is headed by a Director General (DG), who is appointed by Pakistan’s army chief. Traditionally, the DG is a three-star general, ensuring that the agency remains under army control. Notable DGs include Lieutenant-General Hamid Gul, known for his role during the Soviet war in Afghanistan, and Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who headed the agency from 2008 to 2012, a period marked by tensions with the USA.
ISI’s role and objectives
The ISI’s main role is to gather military and strategic intelligence, monitor internal and external threats, and conduct counter-intelligence operations. This includes monitoring terrorist movements, assessing risks to national security, and gathering information on military developments in neighboring countries, notably India and Afghanistan.
The ISI also acts as an influential player in the management of foreign affairs, helping to shape Pakistan’s security and defense policy. The agency is involved in supporting allied groups that can serve Pakistan’s strategic interests abroad, particularly in conflict zones such as Kashmir and Afghanistan. It also plays an active role in counter-espionage to prevent infiltration of foreign intelligence services into Pakistani territory.
Its objectives include preventing enemy infiltration, maintaining national security, and influencing regional political dynamics to protect Pakistan’s interests.
The ISI is also accused of playing an active role in Pakistan’s internal politics, supporting or weakening certain political parties according to the army’s strategic interests. Internationally, the ISI is involved in operations in Kashmir and Afghanistan, two regions critical to Pakistan’s security.
Recruitment and training
Recruitment for the ISI is mainly from the Pakistani Armed Forces. Officers are often selected from the ranks of the army, navy and air force, ensuring a strong cohesion with the military forces. Civilians can also be recruited for specific skills, notably in cyber-security and foreign languages.
Training for ISI agents is rigorous and includes skills in intelligence gathering, counter-espionage techniques, and clandestine operations. Agents undergo intensive physical training, courses in data analysis, and exercises simulating field situations to develop their ability to operate in hostile environments. Particular attention is also paid to language skills, especially for regional languages such as Pashto and Dari, which are necessary for operations in Afghanistan. Mastery of communication technologies, cryptography and counter-surveillance are also crucial aspects of training, to ensure that agents can operate securely and effectively in the face of modern threats.
Notable actions and operations
ISI is involved in numerous operations around the world, some of which are publicly known, others of which are kept secret. Notable actions include support for the Mujahideen during the Soviet war in Afghanistan, which contributed to the Soviet defeat and the end of the Cold War. Operation Cyclone, financed by the CIA, is an example of a joint operation in which the ISI received millions of dollars to train, arm and provide logistical support to the Mujahideen. This collaboration created a network of Afghan and foreign fighters who played a key role in the war.
In the 1990s, the ISI was also involved in supporting militant groups in Kashmir, a region disputed with India. These actions enabled Pakistan to maintain constant pressure on India without directly engaging its army, but they also led to accusations of supporting terrorism. For example, the ISI has been accused of providing logistical, financial and military support to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militant group operating in Kashmir. The ISI’s support for these groups helped fuel the conflict in the region and maintain a situation of asymmetrical warfare with India.
In 1999, the ISI was involved in the Kargil conflict, in which Pakistan-backed fighters infiltrated the Kargil region of India. This operation led to a major conflict between India and Pakistan, which attracted international attention and highlighted the indirect intervention strategies employed by the ISI.
In 2011, the ISI was at the center of international tensions when US Special Forces captured and executed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. This operation raised questions about the ISI’s knowledge or involvement in bin Laden’s presence on Pakistani territory. Some observers accused the ISI of turning a blind eye to his presence, while others suggested partial cooperation with elements within the agency. The operation raised questions about the ISI’s knowledge or involvement in bin Laden’s presence on Pakistani territory.
Importance for Pakistan
The ISI plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s defense strategy. With an army that remains one of the largest in the region, the ISI provides vital intelligence for the prevention of threats, whether of internal or external origin. Historical rivalry with India has made the ISI a key player in maintaining the balance of power in the region.
The agency is also a foreign policy tool enabling Pakistan to exert influence beyond its borders, particularly in Afghanistan, where Pakistan wishes to maintain a friendly government to avoid growing Indian influence.
Allies and collaborations
The ISI has established both formal and informal alliances. Its legal allies include China and Saudi Arabia, which share strategic interests with Pakistan. Cooperation with China has been strengthened within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an infrastructure project valued at 50 billion euros. This partnership is crucial for Pakistan, offering significant economic support and a counterweight to Indian influence in the region. China, in turn, benefits from access to strategic trade routes through Pakistan, facilitating trade with the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia, another key ally, provides substantial financial support and collaborates with the ISI on regional security issues. During the Cold War, for example, Saudi Arabia helped finance ISI operations in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union. This cooperation has continued, with an emphasis on the fight against terrorism, as both countries share common concerns about regional stability and the rise of extremist groups.
At the same time, the ISI has also been accused of maintaining links with non-state groups, including certain Taliban factions in Afghanistan. These relationships are seen as part of a strategy to secure allies on the ground in the event of conflict in the region. For example, the ISI is said to have supported the Haqqani network, an influential militant group in Afghanistan, in order to guarantee a favorable presence in Pakistan in the event of the withdrawal of Western forces. This pragmatic, albeit controversial, approach aims to maintain strategic influence in Afghanistan while avoiding a rise in Indian influence in the country.
The ISI also maintains relations with militant groups operating in Kashmir, in support of the separatist cause against India. These unofficial alliances have enabled Pakistan to maintain constant pressure on India, while denying any direct involvement. However, these ties have led to tensions with international partners, notably the United States, which has often accused the ISI of supporting elements hostile to Western interests in the region.
At the same time, the ISI has also been accused of maintaining links with non-state groups, including certain Taliban factions in Afghanistan. These relationships are seen as part of a strategy to secure allies on the ground in the event of conflicts in the region.
Internal functioning
The ISI is divided into several sections responsible for different activities, ranging from counter-espionage to electronic intelligence gathering. The agency’s workings are marked by a high degree of opacity, and its operations are often kept secret, even from other government agencies.
ISI’s sections are organized to cover all aspects of intelligence and national security:
- Operations Division: This section is responsible for the planning and execution of clandestine missions, both inside and outside Pakistan. Operations Division agents are often involved in information-gathering missions in enemy territory, sabotage actions, and operations in support of allied groups. For example, the Operations Division has played a key role in supporting militant groups in Kashmir and in intelligence operations in Afghanistan.
- Analysis Division: Responsible for providing strategic assessments to political and military decision-makers, this division collects and analyzes data from a variety of sources, including field reports, electronic information and human sources. Reports produced by the Analysis Division are used to guide Pakistan’s security policy, and to anticipate adverse movements, particularly those of India.
- Surveillance Division: This section deals with internal security and the monitoring of suspicious activities within the country. It plays a key role in preventing internal threats, such as domestic terrorism and infiltration attempts by foreign agents. The Surveillance Division uses monitoring techniques, electronic eavesdropping and physical surveillance to ensure national security.
- Electronic Intelligence Division (ELINT) : This division specializes in the interception of electronic communications, such as telephone calls, radio transmissions and digital communications. ELINT uses advanced technologies to monitor enemy communications and detect potential threats. For example, the ELINT Division plays a crucial role in monitoring terrorist groups operating in border regions.
- Psychological and Disinformation Division: The ISI also conducts influence campaigns to shape public opinion and destabilize adversaries. This division is responsible for disinformation campaigns, including the dissemination of false information in enemy media, and influencing foreign public opinion in favor of Pakistan’s interests.
- Logistics and Support Division: This section provides logistical support for ISI operations, including funding, equipment supply and coordination of agent movements. It works closely with the Pakistani armed forces to ensure that the necessary resources are available for each mission.
These divisions often work in coordination to achieve Pakistan’s strategic objectives. For example, an intelligence-gathering operation led by the Operations Division could be supported by analysis from the Analysis Division and logistical support from the Logistics Division. The ISI, as an organization, is structured to ensure a rapid and effective response to threats, while maintaining a high level of secrecy.
ISI’s internal sections include the Operations Division, which oversees clandestine missions, and the Analysis Division, responsible for providing strategic assessments to political decision-makers. The Operations Division has carried out several notable clandestine missions, such as infiltration into Indian territory to obtain intelligence on military installations, and covert operations in support of militant groups in Kashmir. One example of a clandestine mission is Operation Topaz, where ISI agents provided discreet logistical and military support to militant groups operating against Indian forces in the Kashmir region. Another mission, dubbed Operation Khalid, involved exfiltrating key figures in Afghanistan to obtain strategic information on Taliban movements.
Another important section is the Surveillance Division, which ensures internal security and monitors suspicious activities within the country.
Criticism and controversy
The ISI has often been criticized for its lack of transparency and alleged links with terrorist groups. Accusations of human rights violations and manipulation of internal electoral processes have been levelled at the agency. In 2020, an international report accused the ISI of supporting certain armed groups in Afghanistan, highlighting the difficult balances the agency must maintain between Pakistan’s security interests and international pressures.
The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is a key player in Pakistan’s security and foreign policy. With a history of strategic operations and an influential role in the region, the ISI remains central to Pakistan’s defense system. Its opaque operations and controversial alliances continue to make this agency a complex entity, often criticized but undeniably influential. For Pakistan, the ISI is as much a shield as a lever of influence on the international stage.
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