After Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir’s threat of using nuclear weapons against India and destroying half the world if it ever faced a life-or-death situation in a future conflict, the US State Department has now officially listed the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed unit, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs). The Majeed Brigade has also been added as an alias for the BLA in its already existing Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) status.
According to the US State Department, the designations have been made under Section 219 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. They will take effect once published in the Federal Register.
BLA vs Pakistan
The conflict between the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Government of Pakistan has been going on for many years as Baloch people have demanded complete independence for years now. These demands could be coming from their anger over political neglect and human rights violations in Balochistan, which the reports suggest is an area rich in resources but still underdeveloped.
The BLA is a major separatist militant group that uses armed resistance to push its goals against Pakistani security forces, infrastructure, and foreign investments, especially projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
US designating BLA as foreign terror group strengthens Pak’s position
The statement from the US State Department noted that the BLA claimed responsibility for suicide attacks near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024. It further added that in March 2025, the group hijacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express from Quetta, killing 31 civilians and security personnel and taking over 300 passengers as hostages.
The move can be seen as a support for Pakistan’s position against the BLA, which it has long accused of terrorism. However, the decision mainly reflects America’s own counterterrorism goals and regional strategic interests, rather than direct political support for Pakistan.
Last month, the US designated The Resistance Front (TRF) – a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba – as a terrorist group. TRF had claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in India. Rubio described TRF as a “front and proxy” of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-listed terrorist group.
BLA’s show of support for India
Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch had in May announced that Balochistan is independent from Pakistan and had urged India and its media not to call the Baloch people “Pakistan’s own.” He stressed that Baloch people identify as Balochistani, not Pakistani, a report by Economic Times said. He also backed India’s demand for Pakistan to leave Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), warning that Pakistan could face a defeat similar to its 1971 surrender in Dhaka.
After India’s success in Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the BLA had expressed hope that India’s growing military power and global influence could help their cause, a News 18 report said. The report further cited a BLA representative saying that India’s victory was a blow to both Pakistan and China, as there is clear involvement of the latter in Balochistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). According to CNN-News18, the BLA urged India to highlight human rights abuses, including the killings in Balochistan, before the international community.