US Declares Balochistan Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade Foreign Terrorist Organisations

The US State Department labelled the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its branch, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). The Majeed Brigade was also added as another name under BLA’s earlier status as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. The BLA was first declared an SDGT in 2019 after carrying out several terrorist attacks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that since then, the group has claimed more attacks, including those carried out by the Majeed Brigade.

He said the BLA took responsibility for suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024. In March 2025, the group also claimed it hijacked the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 31 people, including civilians and security staff, and holding more than 300 passengers hostage.

Rubio also said the move shows the Trump administration’s strong commitment to fighting terrorism. He explained that declaring groups as terrorists is an important tool in the US fight against such threats, as it helps cut off their support and resources.