Washington: The United States Department of State has officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, The Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). The announcement coincided with Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir’s visit to the US.
According to the US government, the decision was taken due to the BLA’s growing threat to regional stability. The group, active since 2000, seeks independence for the Balochistan region from Pakistan and has carried out numerous violent attacks targeting security forces, critical infrastructure, and foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens.
Why the US designates Balochistan Liberation Army as terrorist group
The BLA has a long history of high-profile attacks, including:
- 2019 Pearl-Continental Hotel attack in Gwadar
- Assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi
- Quetta Railway Station bombing in November 2024 (32 dead)
- Gwadar Port Authority Complex attack in August 2024 (25 Pakistani security personnel killed)
- Jaffar Express train hijacking in March 2025, leading to a 30-hour army operation
Its opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been a driving factor behind many of these attacks.
Recent escalation and targeted killings
Since mid-July 2025, the BLA has reportedly killed at least four senior Pakistani army officers in targeted strikes. Analysts believe this indicates upgraded operational and intelligence capabilities, aimed at creating psychological pressure on the military.
The US designation is expected to freeze the group’s assets, restrict funding, and limit its ability to plan or execute terrorist activities. The EU, UK, and several other countries have already listed the BLA as a terrorist organisation.
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