Pakistan diplomatic win: US declares Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as foreign terrorist organisation

Dubai: The United States has officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its militant wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs), the State Department announced on Monday.

The decision expands the existing 2019 designation of the BLA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity by also recognising the Majeed Brigade as an operational alias.

The announcement comes in the wake of a series of deadly attacks claimed by the group, including high-profile suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024, as well as the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train earlier this year. The March attack left 31 civilians and security personnel dead and saw over 300 passengers held hostage.

US Department of State’s announcement reads: “Today, the Department of State is designating The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, The Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and adding the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s previous Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation.    

“BLA was designated as an SDGT in 2019 following several terrorist attacks. Since 2019, BLA has claimed responsibility for additional attacks, including by the Majeed Brigade. In 2024, BLA claimed it had committed suicide attacks near the airport in Karachi and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. In 2025, BLA claimed responsibility for the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 31 civilians and security personnel and holding hostage over 300 train passengers.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designations reflect the Trump administration’s commitment to disrupting terrorist networks. “Terrorist designations are a powerful tool to cut off support and financing to groups that pose a threat to global peace,” he stated.

Pakistan has repeatedly urged Washington to take a firm stance against the BLA, especially in light of increasing violence in Balochistan. In July, Islamabad formally requested the US to designate the BLA as a terrorist organisation.

Pakistan welcomes US decision

Pakistan welcomes the U.S. decision of designating Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organisations, also adding Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA.

In a statement, Pakistan Foreign Office said that Pakistan had proscribed Majeed Brigade as a terrorist entity since 18 July 2024. BLA/Majeed Brigade is involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the heinous Jaffer Express terrorist incident and Khuzdar bus attack that resulted in the loss of precious lives.

"Pakistan remains unwavering in its resolve to protect its citizens and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We remain committed to cooperating with the international community to overcome this common challenge," the statement reads.

In a strong endorsement of the US decision, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti credited the federal government and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose recent visit to Washington helped convey Pakistan’s counter terrorism concerns to US policymakers.

“BLA and its Majeed Brigade have spilled innocent blood under the guise of ethnic rights. This designation is a step in the right direction, and we call on the international community to unite against all forms of terrorism,” said Bugti.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office, in an earlier statement, reiterated its role as a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, highlighting its sacrifices and contributions to global peace efforts.