WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Thursday Times) — The United States has formally designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its faction, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations, escalating pressure on the separatist group long accused of orchestrating violent attacks in Pakistan.
The decision, announced on Monday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also adds the Majeed Brigade to the BLA’s existing classification as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity, a status it has held since 2019. The designation, which will be published in the Federal Register, is intended to block the group’s access to international support networks and financial channels.
The BLA was first placed on the US terrorism list in 2019 following a spate of deadly assaults. According to the State Department, the group has since claimed responsibility for additional high-profile attacks, including suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024.
In its most lethal operation of recent years, the BLA claimed the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar. The attack killed 31 civilians and security personnel and saw more than 300 passengers held hostage before Pakistani security forces intervened.
Rubio framed the designations as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to combat terrorism. “Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” the statement read.
The actions were taken under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. The designations, once in effect, will make it a criminal offence for individuals or entities in the United States to knowingly provide material support or resources to the BLA or Majeed Brigade.
Pakistan has long accused the BLA of carrying out insurgent attacks, particularly in the resource-rich but volatile province of Balochistan. The group has targeted government installations, infrastructure projects and security forces, framing its campaign as a fight for independence from Islamabad.
Washington’s move is expected to further isolate the organisation internationally and strengthen Pakistan’s counter-insurgency narrative. However, analysts note that the BLA has historically operated across porous borders, raising questions about how much the designation will disrupt its activities on the ground.
