Mufti Shah Mir, Linked to Kulbhushan Jadhav’s Abduction, Assassinated in Balochistan
Mufti Shah Mir, a religious scholar implicated in the abduction of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Turbat, Balochistan, on March 8, 2025. Mir was ambushed by motorcycle-borne gunmen as he exited a local mosque following Taraweeh prayers. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Mir was known for his involvement in human and arms trafficking under the guise of religious scholarship. He was affiliated with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, an Islamic fundamentalist political party. His activities extended beyond illicit trade; he was reportedly linked to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-led death squads and played a significant role in the abduction and extrajudicial killing of numerous Baloch youths. Additionally, Mir was instrumental in propagating religious extremism within Balochistan.
In March 2016, Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer engaged in business in Chabahar, Iran, was abducted by a group led by Mullah Omar Irani of Jaish al-Adl from the Iran-Pakistan border. Jadhav was subsequently handed over to the Pakistan Army through intermediaries, including Mir. This abduction led to Jadhav’s arrest on charges of espionage and his sentencing to death by a Pakistani military court in April 2017, a case that has since been a point of contention between India and Pakistan.
Mir had previously survived two assassination attempts in the past year and had recently limited his movements due to security concerns. His death is speculated to be the result of internal conflicts, possibly involving ISI operatives. This incident follows the recent targeted killings of two other Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam members, Wadera Ghulam Sarwar and Molvi Amanullah, by motorcycle-borne assailants, indicating a potential pattern of internal strife within the organization.
Mir’s involvement with the ISI and his role in the abduction of Jadhav have been subjects of significant controversy. His activities have been linked to the broader context of insurgency and human rights issues in Balochistan, where enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have been reported. Human rights organizations have accused Pakistani security forces, including the ISI and Frontier Corps, of such violations, contributing to the region’s instability.
The assassination of Mufti Shah Mir underscores the complex and volatile dynamics in Balochistan, involving religious extremism, intelligence operations, and internal power struggles. His death may have implications for the region’s security situation, potentially affecting the operations of militant groups and the activities of intelligence agencies in the area.
