ISLAMABAD:
The United States on Monday formally designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide unit, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO), in a move hailed in Islamabad as a major boost to Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts.
The US State Department said it has also added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s existing Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) listing, first imposed in 2019. The latest designation, which comes under section 219 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register.
“Today’s action demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism,” the State Department said, adding that such designations “play a critical role” in restricting support and resources for terrorist activity.
The BLA was blacklisted in 2019 following a string of deadly attacks in Pakistan. Since then, the group has continued to target civilians and security forces, often using the Majeed Brigade to carry out high-profile suicide missions.
In 2024, the BLA claimed responsibility for suicide attacks near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. This year, it claimed the hijacking of the Jaffar Express travelling from Quetta to Peshawar in March, which killed 31 people, including security personnel, and saw over 300 passengers held hostage.
BLA emerged as one of the most violent terrorist outfits operating in Balochistan. Its tactics including suicide bombings, targeted killings, and attacks on infrastructure have earned it international notoriety.
The Majeed Brigade, named after a Baloch separatist who died in a 1970s attack, functions as BLA’s elite suicide squad. Over the past decade, it has been behind some of the most brazen terrorist operations in Pakistan, often targeting Chinese nationals, CPEC projects, and state installations.
Islamabad has long accused the BLA of receiving support from external actors to destabilise Pakistan, particularly Balochistan. The US move not only strengthens Pakistan’s stance at international forums but also enables Washington to freeze the group’s assets, impose travel bans on its members, and prosecute anyone providing material support.
Officials in Islamabad see the designation as a diplomatic win that could help tighten the global financial and logistical noose around the outfit.
Pakistan had long been seeking the blacklisting of Majeed Brigade by the US but the Biden administration did not respond positively to Islamabad’s request.
However, the Trump Administration’s decision to designate BLA and Majeed Brigade as FTO highlighted the close security and counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan and the US.
The move will help Pakistan’s efforts to neutralise the threat in the resource-rich Balochistan.
Pakistan is keen the US invest in mines and minerals resources available in abundance in Balochistan.
Officials believe that the US move will send a clear message to the BLA, its affiliates and also their external backers.
