Washington, 11 August 2025 (US Department of State)

The U.S. State Department has officially designated Pakistan’s Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed faction, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist organizations, accusing them of executing a series of deadly attacks in recent years.

In a press release, the State Department announced that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, have been classified as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO). Additionally, the Majeed Brigade is now recognized as an alias under BLA’s earlier Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation.

The BLA had already been designated as an SDGT in 2019 due to its involvement in multiple terrorist acts. Since that designation, the BLA, including its Majeed Brigade faction, has claimed responsibility for additional attacks. Notably, in 2024, the BLA took credit for suicide bombings near Karachi’s airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. In 2025, the group also claimed responsibility for the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in March, which resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel, with over 300 passengers taken hostage.

This move underscores the U.S. government’s ongoing commitment to combating terrorism, as outlined by the Trump Administration. Terrorist designations are vital tools in curbing support for such activities.

Today’s action was taken in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended. The designations will take effect once published in the Federal Register.

Pakistan has welcomed for the U.S. designation of the BLA and reiterated that the group remains banned in Pakistan. Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal emphasized the importance of holding the perpetrators, sponsors, and those glorifying acts of terrorism accountable. The BLA, an armed separatist group, has targeted both security forces and civilians, with notable attacks including suicide bombings in Balochistan, and assaults on Chinese targets in 2018 and 2019.

Pakistan has consistently asserted that the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) receives support from India and has been behind numerous attacks within the country, causing both human and infrastructure losses. In response, Pakistan banned the Majeed Brigade, a suicide squad linked to the BLA, in 2023. The BLA itself was designated a proscribed entity by Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Authority in 2006. Pakistan had previously called for the Majeed Brigade to be recognized as an international terrorist group.

In 2019, the U.S. State Department designated the BLA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), criminalizing any support for the group within the United States. However, the Majeed Brigade was not included in this designation at that time.