In a decisive move against militancy, the United States has formally declared the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its militant wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTO).
The announcement came from the US State Department on Monday, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s stance against the insurgent group.
The designation not only reconfirms the BLA’s earlier status as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group, first imposed in 2019, but also officially adds the Majeed Brigade as an alias under the same listing. This faction has been behind some of the most violent attacks in Pakistan in recent years, including sophisticated suicide missions targeting high-security zones.
In 2024 alone, the group claimed responsibility for coordinated suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex — both strategic locations with national and economic significance. Earlier in 2025, BLA fighters, backed by the Majeed Brigade, hijacked the Jaffar Express passenger train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar. The incident resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel, while more than 300 passengers were held hostage in a chilling display of the group’s operational reach.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision reflects the Trump administration’s “unwavering commitment” to combating terrorism worldwide. He stressed that such measures are designed to weaken the logistical and financial support systems of designated groups, thereby curbing their ability to plan and execute attacks.
The designation of BLA and Majeed Brigade follows repeated requests from Pakistan, particularly after the US recently added The Resistance Front — blamed for the April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that left 26 people dead — to its terrorist list. That incident triggered one of the most intense escalations between India and Pakistan in decades, with New Delhi accusing Islamabad of complicity, a charge Pakistan firmly denies.
Islamabad maintains that BLA and its factions are operating with covert backing from India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Intelligence reports, cited by Pakistani media, allege that RAW has activated proxy networks in Balochistan to destabilise the province and disrupt key projects, including those linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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The Pakistani Foreign Office has repeatedly described these insurgent outfits as “Fitna al-Hindustan” — agents of instability supported by hostile forces. In a statement earlier this year, the ministry reaffirmed Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the global fight against terrorism, highlighting its sacrifices and successes in dismantling militant networks.
By placing both the BLA and the Majeed Brigade under the FTO and SDGT lists, Washington has effectively restricted their access to international funding, travel, and weapons procurement. The move is expected to tighten the global net around the groups and limit their operational freedom.
