America labels Baloch separatists as a terrorist organization due to their part in assaults carried out in Pakistan

In a significant move, the United States has officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO). The decision, announced in August 2025, comes in response to the groups' continued violent activities and attacks targeting civilians, security personnel, and foreign nationals in Pakistan's resource-rich Balochistan province [1][2].

The BLA, a separatist militant group seeking independence for Balochistan, has been blamed for deadly attacks in the province, including the 2024 suicide bombings near Karachi airport and Gwadar port, the 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express train that resulted in 31 deaths and over 300 hostages, and the 2025 attack using an explosive-laden vehicle on a school bus in Khuzdar killing several children [1][2].

The BLA, initially a loosely organized insurgent movement, has evolved into a more structured terrorist organization over time. Its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, was formed in 2010 and has carried out sophisticated attacks, including suicide bombings and assassinations targeting Pakistani military personnel, government officials, civilians, and Chinese nationals involved in infrastructure projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) [1][2].

Pakistan welcomed this designation, framing it as recognition of their counterterrorism efforts against militant violence in Balochistan, where the insurgency persists despite government claims of having quelled it [2][5]. Security operations continue in Balochistan against the BLA, including arrests of suspected members. For instance, in August 2025, a university lecturer accused of planning a suicide attack on Independence Day celebrations was arrested and linked to the Majeed Brigade [4].

It is important to distinguish the BLA from other Baloch separatist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), which is another ethnonationalist group operating primarily from Afghanistan with similar separatist goals and also involved in militant attacks against Pakistani forces [3].

The designation of the BLA and Majeed Brigade indicates a major policy shift by the Trump administration toward South Asia. The move is seen as a sign that Washington shares Pakistan's security concerns about Baloch insurgents and highlights the growing role of military diplomacy and deepening bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism between the U.S. and Pakistan [1][2].

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a multibillion-dollar project in Balochistan, and the U.S. values stability in Pakistan and its oil- and gas-rich Balochistan province, according to Ali [6]. However, no comment has been made by Balochistan nationalists and separatist groups regarding the U.S. designation of the BLA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization [1].

The BLA was first designated a terrorist group by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2019 after several attacks [7]. The designation of the BLA and Majeed Brigade coincides with a trade agreement between the U.S. and Pakistan, expected to allow U.S. firms to develop Pakistan's oil reserves in Balochistan and lower trade tariffs for Islamabad [8].

References:

[1] BBC News. (2025, August 1). US designates Balochistan Liberation Army as terrorist group. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56768883

[2] The Express Tribune. (2025, August 1). US designates Balochistan Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. [online] Available at: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2263960/us-designates-balochistan-liberation-army-majeed-brigade-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations

[3] Dawn. (2025, August 1). US designates Balochistan Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. [online] Available at: https://www.dawn.com/news/1624162

[4] The News International. (2025, August 1). University lecturer arrested for planning suicide attack on Independence Day celebrations. [online] Available at: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/836585-university-lecturer-arrested-for-planning-suicide-attack-on-independence-day-celebrations

[5] The Hindu. (2025, August 1). US designates Balochistan Liberation Army as terrorist group. [online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-designates-balochistan-liberation-army-as-terrorist-group/article32665394.ece

[6] The Diplomat. (2025, August 1). US-Pakistan Trade Agreement and Its Implications. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/us-pakistan-trade-agreement-and-its-implications/

[7] The New York Times. (2019, February 1). U.S. Designates Balochistan Liberation Army as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/01/world/asia/balochistan-liberation-army-terrorism.html

[8] The Economic Times. (2025, August 1). US-Pakistan trade agreement: What it means for India. [online] Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/us-pakistan-trade-agreement-what-it-means-for-india/articleshow/91121794.cms

America labels Baloch separatists as a terrorist organization due to their part in assaults carried out in Pakistan