The United States’ decision to formally add the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its faction, the Majeed Brigade, to its Foreign Terrorist Organizations list marks a significant development in both counter-terrorism policy and Pakistan–US relations.
For the BLA, this isn’t its first time on a US watchlist, Washington had already labelled it a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group back in 2019. But this latest move puts the groups in an even more restrictive category.
But Why Now?
On the surface, the decision follows a familiar counter-terrorism script that the BLA has carried out multiple deadly attacks, and the US wants to cut off its funding and movement. But timing and politics play a role here.
Pakistan has been pushing the US for years to take stronger action against the BLA. That pressure seems to have gained traction in recent months, as Islamabad and Washington steadily improve ties. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent visit to the US and his meetings at the highest political and military levels likely gave Pakistan another chance to present its case directly.
Then there’s the violence itself. The BLA and its Majeed Brigade wing have been linked to high-profile attacks that made headlines well beyond Pakistan. In 2024, the group claimed responsibility for suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. Earlier this year, it hijacked the Jaffar Express train, killing 31 people and taking more than 300 passengers hostage.
One more factor can’t be ignored, the group’s history of targeting Chinese nationals and CPEC-related infrastructure. While Washington has no love lost for Beijing, the US also recognizes that destabilizing such projects risks sparking wider regional unrest, something it would prefer to avoid.
What’s the Story Behind the BLA and Majeed Brigade?
The BLA is an armed separatist group active mostly in Balochistan, a province rich in natural resources but still among Pakistan’s least developed regions. The group’s declared goal is the creation of an independent Baloch state, and it has waged an on-and-off insurgency against the federal government for decades.
Within the BLA, the Majeed Brigade functions as its suicide unit. It is named after Abdul Majeed, a militant from the 1970s remembered for carrying out targeted attacks on high-profile sites, whether military facilities or foreign-backed projects.
Why Does the US Action Matter?
By adding the BLA and Majeed Brigade to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, the United States makes it illegal for American citizens to provide them with any kind of material assistance. It also freezes any assets they may hold in US jurisdiction and paves the way for other countries to impose similar measures.
On a political level, the designation signals that Washington is willing to align with Islamabad on an issue where Pakistan has long accused India of interference. Pakistani officials often refer to the BLA as Fitna al-Hindustan, claiming it operates with Indian support.
Bigger Picture
The designation won’t make the BLA disappear overnight. But it will complicate their international operations, disrupt financing networks, and tighten travel restrictions. For Pakistan, it’s a diplomatic win, while for the US, it’s a calculated show of support to an important regional partner, without getting directly pulled into the India–Pakistan blame game.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
