US Designates Balochistan Liberation Army as Foreign Terrorist Organization

The United States government has officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliated militant group, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), according to a State Department announcement made on Monday.

This action also formally recognizes the Majeed Brigade as an alias of the BLA, which was previously listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group.

The BLA, initially designated as an SDGT in 2019, has since claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including suicide bombings conducted by the Majeed Brigade.

In 2024, the BLA declared its involvement in suicide attacks that occurred near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex.

Earlier in the year, the group claimed accountability for the hijacking in March of the Jaffar Express train en route from Quetta to Peshawar. This incident resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel, and over 300 passengers were taken hostage.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these designations underscore the administration’s dedication to combating terrorism, adding that such measures serve as an effective means of impeding support for terrorist operations.

This is a developing story; further details will be added as they become available.