Islamabad:
The United States has officially appointed the Balutchistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide unit, the Majeed Brigade, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), in a move hailed in Islamabad as a major omen of the efforts to combat Pakistan terrorism.
The United States Department of State said that it had also added the major brigade as an alias to the existing list of the existing Global Terrorist (SDGT), imposed for the first time in 2019. The last designation, which is part of article 219 of the American law on immigration and nationality and the executive decree 13224, will take effect on the publication in the federal register.
“Today’s action demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to counter terrorism,” said the State Department, adding that such designations “play an essential role” in the restriction of support and resources for terrorist activity.
The Bla was put on black list in 2019 following a series of fatal attacks in Pakistan. Since then, the group has continued to target civilians and security forces, often using the major brigade to carry out high -level suicide missions.
In 2024, the Bla claimed the responsibility of suicide attacks near Karachi airport and the Gwadar port complex. This year, he said that the diversion of the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in March, who killed 31 people, including security staff, and saw more than 300 passengers held hostage.
Bla has become one of the most violent terrorist outfits operating in Balutchistan. His tactics, including suicide attacks, targeted murders and attacks on infrastructure, have earned international notoriety.
The major brigade, named after a Baloutche separatist who died in an attack by the 1970s, works as an elite suicide team of BLA. Over the past decade, he has been the source of some of the most cheeky terrorist operations in Pakistan, often targeting Chinese nationals, CPEC projects and state facilities.
Islamabad has long accused the Bla to receive the support of external actors to destabilize Pakistan, in particular Balutchistan. The American move reinforces not only the position of Pakistan during the international forums, but also allows Washington to freeze the assets of the group, to impose prohibitions to travel on its members and to continue any person providing material support.
Islamabad officials consider the designation as a diplomatic victory that could help to tighten the global financial and logistical node around the outfit.
Pakistan has long been looking for the black list of Majeed Brigade by the United States, but the Biden administration did not respond positively to Islamabad’s demand.
However, the Trump administration’s decision to designate Bla and Majeed Brigade as FTO highlighted close security and cooperation against terrorism between Pakistan and the United States.
This decision will help Pakistan’s efforts to neutralize the threat in Balutchistan rich in resources.
Pakistan is interesting for the United States to invest in mines and mineral resources available in abundance in Balutchistan.
Officials believe that the US move will send a clear message to BLA, its affiliates and also to their external donors.
