The Silent Shield: ISI Espionage since 9/11

The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan operates as a deeply patriotic and powerful force, widely perceived as the nation’s “first line of defense”. This covert apparatus, simultaneously a source of hushed deference and public debate, has shaped Pakistan’s domestic and international affairs for decades, often operating with the strategic autonomy required to safeguard national interests. The agency’s reputation as a “silent shield” reflects its central role in protecting Pakistan’s national security, a mission it has pursued through a complex and often paradoxical set of espionage tactics and geopolitical strategies. The ISI has been catapulted into the international spotlight since the 11 September 2001 attacks. Its activities and partnerships have been examined to determine their role in the U.S.-led War on Terrorism.

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The ‘Strategic Depth’ Policy

The ‘strategic depth’ doctrine is a military concept referring to a country’s ability to absorb an initial enemy attack by withdrawing into its own territory and regrouping for a counter-offensive. The ISI’s application of this policy involved using Afghanistan as a buffer state and a ‘strategic rallying point’ to counter a perceived two-front threat from a hostile India and a Soviet-backed Afghan government. After the Soviet withdrawal, the ISI’s post-Soviet support for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda became a direct extension of this doctrine. From the perspective of Pakistan’s military, this support was a means to maintain influence in a post-conflict Afghanistan, thereby securing Pakistan’s western border and preventing encirclement by a pro-India government. The ISI’s controversial support for Islamist groups was viewed not as a temporary Cold War tactic but as a long-term, rational policy to protect its national interests from a core regional rival.

Two-Front War

The enduring rivalry with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has consistently defined the ISI’s external operations. This long-standing geopolitical conflict has been one of the major driving forces behind the controversial ISI activities in Afghanistan, with the agency believing that its activities are a hedge against a strong competitor.

A History of ISI vs. RAW

The history of the covert war between the ISI and RAW is characterized by calculated subterfuge. Successes of the ISI in counter-espionage are also noteworthy including the 1983 case where it captured a high-value Indian spy, Ilmo. He was compelled to send misleading information to his handlers in RAW. Similarly, there have been other covert operations by the ISI involving:

1980 Indian spy ring uncovered: ISI arrested their ring leader in Karachi; network disrupted.

1984 Indira Gandhi Naval Base Deal: ISI Intelligence gathering revealed a supposedly secret agreement between India and USSR over naval bases.

1988 Operation Tupac: ISI Covert Action began state policy of sponsoring Kashmiri freedom fighters.

2014 Border Troop Deployment: A Counter-Espionage by ISI involved gaining intelligence and Pakistan Army redeployed troops as a response.

2016 Arrest of Indian spy: On 3 March 2016, Kulbushan Jadhav was arrested inside Balochistan in Mashkel near the border region of Chaman. He was arrested during a counterintelligence raid conducted by security forces. The Indian spy confessed to instigating and planning terrorist activities on Pakistani soil.

Afghanistan Withdrawal and Strategic Reorientation

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was a strategic victory for the ISI as the Taliban’s rapid takeover validated the agency’s long-standing ‘strategic depth’ policy. The ISI was instrumental in facilitating the Doha peace talks. This outcome solidified Pakistan’s long-held goal of having a friendly government on its western border.Yet this success has been a two-edged sword, generating a new series of hazardous problems for the ISI. The rise of the Afghan Taliban has encouraged militant groups in Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which are now attacking the Pakistani military and civilian targets. Furthermore, the new Afghan government, while a geopolitical ally, has been accused of harboring and assisting anti-Pakistan groups.

Source: radioliberty

Espionage Frontiers

The ISI’s evolving priorities reflect its changing operational landscape. The agency’s historical focus on external threats is now being complemented by a growing need to counter internal, defensive security challenges. The security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an emerging priority. This is a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project that is a lifeline to the Pakistani economy and it is now under threat by militant groups. ISI has contributed to the security of CPEC and a special security division (SSD) was formed in 2016 to guard the projects and Chinese nationals working on them. This new focus demonstrates that the agency’s ‘enemies’ are no longer confined to foreign borders but within the country as well. The ‘silent shield’ is being forced to adapt its role by becoming a more visible and domestically focused entity in response to the consequences of its long-standing foreign policy doctrines.

ISI is not just an intelligence agency but a deeply pragmatic institution that is guided by Pakistan’s national interests. It is adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the Intelligence world. There is also a shift of focus from external operations to managing the domestic security, particularly in securing critical economic projects like CPEC. The future of the ‘silent shield’ will be defined by its ability to navigate these complex, internal threats while continuing its enduring mission of safeguarding Pakistan’s national security in a multi-polar world with shifting alliances.

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