US adds Balochistan Liberation Army to terrorist organization list

The US has added the Balochistan Liberation Army to its list of terrorist organizations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade—which were previously listed under the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) category—have now been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). In his statement, Rubio said, "The BLA was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in 2019 following a series of terrorist attacks. Since 2019, the BLA has claimed responsibility for additional attacks, including those carried out by the Majeed Brigade." 

The BLA announced that it claimed responsibility for suicide attacks near Karachi Airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024. In 2025, the BLA announced that it had claimed responsibility for the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in March, an act in which 31 civilians and security personnel were killed and more than 300 train passengers were taken hostage," he said.

Stating that the step taken by the US Department of State demonstrates the determination of the Donald Trump administration regarding counter-terrorism, Rubio said, "Designation steps as a terrorist organization play a critical role in our fight against this problem and constitute an effective way to restrict support for terrorist activities."

The US Department of State's move aims to cut off the terrorist group's financing, resources, and international support. The decision came following a visit to the US by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir. The BLA, which operates in Balochistan—the largest but poorest province in Pakistan—carries out actions targeting Pakistani government forces, Chinese investments, and critical infrastructure within the framework of its separatist goals.

News Source: İHA