The United States has declared the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its militant wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). This move aims to weaken their operational capacity and disrupt their access to funding. The decision, announced by the US Department of State on Monday, also adds the Majeed Brigade as an alias to the BLA’s Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) status, which was first imposed in 2019.
The Balochistan Liberation Army was originally listed as an SDGT in 2019 after carrying out several deadly attacks in Pakistan. Since then, the group has claimed responsibility for a series of high-profile assaults, including suicide bombings and armed strikes. In 2024, it admitted to launching suicide attacks near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. Earlier this year, the Majeed Brigade claimed the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar. That attack killed 31 civilians and security personnel, and more than 300 passengers were taken hostage.
According to the US State Department, the designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army underlines Washington’s commitment to counterterrorism. The statement highlighted that such actions are crucial to cutting off resources for militant groups. “Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” the department noted.
Legally, the designations fall under Section 219 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, both amended. The FTO status will officially take effect once it is published in the Federal Register.
The decision is likely to isolate the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Majeed Brigade internationally, restricting their movement and funding. It gives Pakistan a stronger position in its counterterrorism efforts, allowing it to seek more global cooperation in dismantling these networks. With the US now officially targeting these groups, Islamabad can push for stricter international monitoring and sanctions, further limiting the operational reach of these separatist militants.