Islamabad:
The United States formally appointed the Baluchistan Liberation Army (Bla) and its suicide unit, the Majeed Brigade, as foreign terrorist organizations (FTO), in an acclaimed movement in Islamabad as a great impulse to the anti -terrorist efforts of Pakistan.
The US Department of State. He said that the Majeed Brigade has also added as alias to the existing Global Terrorist (SDGT) BLA list, first imposed in 2019. The last designation, which is under Section 219 of the United States Immigration and Nationality Law and the Executive Order 13224 will enter into force when publishing in the Federal Registry.
“Today’s action demonstrates the commitment of the Trump administration to counteract terrorism,” said the State Department, added that such designations “play a fundamental role” in the restriction of support and resources for terrorist activity.
The Bla was included in the blacklist in 2019 after a series of mortal attacks in Pakistan. Since then, the group has continued to attack civilians and security forces, often using the Majeed Brigade to carry out high profile suicide missions.
In 2024, the BLA attributed the responsibility of suicidal attacks near the Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority complex. This year, he claimed the kidnapping of Jaffar Express who was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in March, which killed 31 people, including security personnel, and saw more than 300 passengers retained as hostages.
Bla emerged as one of the most violent terrorist outfits that operates in Baluchistan. His tactics, including suicidal bombings, directed murders and attacks against infrastructure, have gained international notoriety.
The Majeed Brigade, which bears the name of a Baloch separatist who died in an attack of the 1970s, functions as the Blal elite suicide squad. During the last decade, it has been behind some of the most shameless terrorist operations in Pakistan, often pointing to Chinese citizens, CPEC projects and state facilities.
Islamabad has long accused the BL of receiving the support of external actors to destabilize Pakistan, particularly in Baluchistan. The US movement not only strengthens Pakistan’s position in international forums, but also allows Washington to freeze the assets of the group, impose travel prohibitions to its members and process anyone who provides material support.
Officials in Islamabad see the designation as a diplomatic victory that could help squeeze world financial rope and logistics around the outfit.
Pakistan had long been looking for the blacklist of the Majeed Brigade by the United States, but the Biden administration did not respond positively to Islamabad’s request.
However, the Trump administration decision to designate the Bla and Majeed Brigade as FTO highlighted the close security and anti -terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.
The measure will help Pakistan’s efforts to neutralize the threat in Baluchistan rich in resources.
Pakistan is interested in the US.
The authorities believe that the US movement will send a clear message to the blah, its affiliates and also to its external sponsors.
