Washington, D.C.: In a significant move to intensify its global counterterrorism efforts, the U.S. Department of State today officially designated The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide unit, The Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The announcement, made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also adds The Majeed Brigade as an official alias under BLA’s Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) classification—first imposed in 2019.
“Today’s action taken by the Department of State demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism,” said Secretary Rubio in the official press statement. “Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge.”
The BLA has been responsible for a series of violent attacks across Pakistan in recent years. In 2024, the group—through the Majeed Brigade—claimed responsibility for suicide bombings near Karachi Airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. The attacks marked a resurgence in BLA’s operational tempo after its initial designation.
The escalation continued in March 2025, when the group claimed a deadly hijacking of the Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The attack resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel, and over 300 passengers were held hostage for hours.
The designations come as the U.S. seeks to curtail international support networks for terrorist organizations operating in South Asia, and to restrict their access to financial and logistical resources. Under Executive Order 13224, the designation allows U.S. authorities to freeze any assets under American jurisdiction, criminalize support or material assistance, and increase international pressure against the group.
The Balochistan Liberation Army, which seeks secession from Pakistan, has long been a point of contention in the region, with several Western and regional security agencies monitoring its activities. The addition of The Majeed Brigade under FTO classification signals a growing concern over its shift toward more coordinated, high-profile suicide operations.
The designation will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register, the State Department confirmed.
