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U.S. designates BLA & Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organisation

U.S. designates BLA & Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organisation

General Studies Paper III: Challenges to Internal Security, Government Policies & Interventions

Why in News? 

In August 2025, the United States officially listed the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias known as the Majeed Brigade as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). 

  •  The U.S. had previously designated the BLA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in 2019 after a series of deadly incidents.
  • According to the U.S. State Department he Majeed Brigade functions as a suicide attack unit within the BLA. 
  • The U.S. State Department emphasised that designating these organisations is part of a broader strategy to combat global terrorism

Balochistan Liberation Army: Profile, History, and Key Incidents

  • About: The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is an armed separatist organisation active in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. It operates as an insurgent group with a focus on political autonomy and regional independence. The organisation is considered a militant network by the governments of Pakistan. It has been accused of targeting security forces, infrastructure, and foreign investment projects.
  • Origin: The roots of the BLA trace back to early 2000s militant movements, although separatist sentiments in Balochistan began decades earlier. The modern BLA emerged from a mix of tribal fighters and urban activists who were dissatisfied with the central government’s control over natural resources in the province. 
  • Ideology: The primary objective of the BLA is to secure independence for Balochistan from Pakistan. 
  • It claims to represent the grievances of the Baloch people, who the group believes are politically and economically marginalised. 
  • The BLA opposes state-led development projects in the province, especially those linked to foreign investments such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
  • Its ideology combines ethnic nationalism with armed resistance, promoting the idea that only a separate state can protect Baloch interests.
  • Region of Operation: The BLA operates mainly in south-western Pakistan, focusing on the vast and sparsely populated province of Balochistan. The region is strategically important due to its border with Iran and Afghanistan and access to the Arabian Sea through the port city of Gwadar
  • Functions: The BLA’s functions revolve around guerrilla warfare, sabotage of infrastructure, and targeted attacks. The group is known for conducting ambushes on military convoys, planting explosives on key transportation routes, targeting economic projects such as gas pipelines and power facilities.
  • Major Incidents
    • 2004 Gas Pipeline Attacks – The BLA targeted multiple gas pipelines in Balochistan, disrupting energy supplies to several regions.
    • 2018 Chinese Consulate Attack in Karachi – Armed militants attacked the Chinese consulate, killing security personnel before being neutralised by law enforcement.
    • 2019 Gwadar Pearl Continental Hotel Assault – Militants stormed the hotel, aiming to target foreign investors and guests linked to CPEC projects.
    • 2024 Karachi Airport and Gwadar Port Attacks – Suicide bombers struck near Karachi airport and at the Gwadar Port Authority Complex, causing multiple casualties.
    • 2025 Jaffar Express Train Hijacking – The group hijacked a passenger train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, resulting in 21 deaths and over 300 hostages.

Also Read: Terrorist Designation of The Resistance Front

Who is the Majeed Brigade?

    • About: The Majeed Brigade is a specialised suicide attack unit and a unconventional operations wing of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). It operates as the organisation’s most lethal wing, focusing on high-impact missions against security forces and foreign investment projects in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. 
  • Origin: The Majeed Brigade was formed in 2011 within the BLA structure. It was named in honour of Abdul Majeed Baloch, a militant who carried out one of the first suicide attacks in the history of the Baloch insurgency. The creation of the brigade signalled a shift in BLA tactics from guerrilla-style ambushes to planned suicide missions. 
  • Objective: The primary goal of the Majeed Brigade is to conduct suicide operations that deliver both physical and psychological impact. It seeks to undermine the state’s authority, disrupt large-scale economic projects, and draw international attention to the Baloch separatist cause. 
  • Region of Operation: The Majeed Brigade operates primarily in Balochistan, but its activities have extended to major cities such as Karachi and Gwadar. The unit’s operational reach covers key transport hubs, ports, and urban centres where attacks can generate maximum publicity. 
  • Functions: The Majeed Brigade serves as the BLA’s dedicated suicide assault team. Its functions include planning and executing suicide bombings, attacking foreign diplomatic facilities and projects under CPEC. The brigade recruits individuals willing to carry out “martyrdom missions.” 
  • Major Incidents Linked with the BLA:
    • In 2024, the groups were involved in suicide bombings near Karachi Airport and at the Gwadar Port Authority Complex, both significant economic and transport hubs in Pakistan. 
    • In March 2025, the group announced its role in the hijacking of the Jaffar Express, a passenger train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar. 

Impact of the U.S. Decision to List BLA and Majeed Brigade as FTO

  • Diplomatic Support for Pakistan: The international recognition of the BLA as a terrorist organisation adds diplomatic weight to Pakistan’s security narrative. Islamabad can now present its counterterrorism actions against the group as aligned with global security concerns. This strengthens Pakistan’s position in bilateral discussions with allies and regional partners. 
  • Disruption of Funding: The FTO status blocks external funding channels and disrupts logistical support networks for both the BLA and Majeed Brigade. International banks and financial institutions are required to freeze assets linked to the group. This restriction limits their ability to purchase weapons, plan large operations, or sustain recruitment drives. 
  • Security Cooperation: By aligning with its broader counterterrorism objectives, the United States strengthens security cooperation with regional and global partners. This designation encourages intelligence sharing between Pakistan, the U.S., and allied nations. It allows for more coordinated military and law enforcement operations targeting the group’s safe havens. Joint monitoring of border regions and financial transactions becomes more feasible.

Facts about Balochistan Province

  • Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan by area, covering about 44 percent of the country’s total landmass.
  • The province has a relatively small population compared to its size, with estimates placing it at around 14 million people in 2023.
  • Quetta functions as the capital of Balochistan and acts as its main centre for governance and commerce.
  • Balochistan shares international borders with Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north-west, and it has a southern coastline along the Arabian Sea.
  • The province is rich in natural resources including natural gas, coal, copper, and gold.
  • The Sui gas field, located in Balochistan, ranks among Pakistan’s biggest natural gas reserves and started producing fuel in the mid-20th century.
  • The climate of Balochistan is mostly arid and semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters in the highlands.
  • The province has a diverse population including Baloch, Pashtun, Hazara, and other ethnic communities.
  • Tourism potential exists in sites such as Hingol National Park, Pir Ghaib Waterfalls, and the Hanna Lake near Quetta.
  • The region faces economic and social challenges, including low literacy rates and limited access to healthcare in remote areas.

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