The United States has officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), the State Department announced. The move adds the Majeed Brigade to BLA’s previous status as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity, first declared in 2019.
The designation, taken under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, is aimed at cutting off resources and support to the group. It will come into effect upon publication in the Federal Register. The State Department said the action underscores the US administration’s commitment to combating terrorism.
The BLA, active in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in recent years, including suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024. In March 2025, the group said its fighters hijacked the Jaffar Express travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 31 civilians and security personnel and holding more than 300 passengers hostage.
The Majeed Brigade, considered the BLA’s suicide attack unit, has been linked to several of these incidents. US officials stressed that terrorist designations are a key tool in disrupting networks, restricting access to funding, and deterring potential supporters.
The announcement comes amid heightened international scrutiny of militant activity in South Asia and ongoing US counterterrorism efforts targeting organisations accused of cross-border attacks.
