The United States has officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a foreign terrorist organization, a move welcomed by Pakistani officials.
This designation, which also includes the Majeed Brigade, follows a series of deadly attacks attributed to the group in Balochistan province and coincides with a visit by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to the U.S.
The announcement comes in the wake of a recently signed trade agreement between Washington and Islamabad.
This agreement is expected to facilitate U.S. investments in Pakistan’s untapped oil reserves located in the resource-rich Balochistan region while also lowering trade tariffs for Islamabad.
The U.S. State Department articulated that the BLA and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, are now categorized as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
The Majeed Brigade has been added as an alias to the BLA’s prior designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
The BLA was initially designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2019, a response to multiple attacks the group had carried out.
Since that designation, however, the BLA has continued to claim responsibility for further violent acts, including suicide bombings near Karachi’s airport and in Gwadar, which occurred in 2024.
Moreover, the BLA claimed responsibility for the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in March, a violent incident that resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel, and left over 300 passengers as hostages, according to the State Department’s statement.
This latest action taken by the U.S. government underscores the Trump administration’s resolve to combat terrorism.
Security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali pointed out that this designation aligns with Munir’s U.S. visits.
He remarked that the action signifies a notable policy shift by the Trump administration regarding South Asia, reflecting a commitment to military diplomacy and enhanced bilateral cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
Moreover, it suggests that Washington acknowledges Pakistan’s security concerns concerning Baloch insurgents.
By designating the BLA as a terrorist organization, the U.S. appears to prioritize stability in Pakistan and is keenly aware of the importance of Balochistan’s gas and oil resources.
Historically, Balochistan has been a hotspot for insurgency.
Various insurgent groups, including the BLA, are accused of carrying out attacks against state officials and foreign nationals engaged in development projects in the region.
Although the Pakistani government asserts it has contained the insurgency, violence in Balochistan continues, as evidenced by military reports of operations resulting in the deaths of 50 insurgents in recent days, including three additional militants killed in Zhob.
In a separate incident, an explosion occurred on Tuesday at an arms depot in Nowshera, located in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, though authorities have yet to release a statement on the incident.
image source from：bostonglobe
