U.S. names outlawed Pakistani group as terrorist organization

Article content

The US declared the Balochistan Liberation Army a terrorist organization, a group that Pakistan has long sought to outlaw internationally, as ties between Islamabad and Washington strengthen.

The US State Department designated the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as foreign terrorist organizations, according to an Aug. 11 press statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It also brought the Majeed Brigade under “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” group.

The move comes close on the heels of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s visits to the US and Islamabad’s warming ties with President Donald Trump, which have yielded favorable trade tariffs over its arch-rival, New Delhi.

The decision also comes as the US pledged to invest in energy and mineral mining in Pakistan. Balochistan — the country’s most resource-rich province and the main area of operation for the outlawed groups — could be a key region of interest.

The Balochistan Liberation Army was behind the hijacking of a passenger train in March, which killed 31 people and held over 300 passengers hostage, according to the US State Department statement.

Pakistan had been requesting to get the Majeed Brigade listed as an international terrorist organization for its suspected involvement in many militant attacks in recent years, including on Chinese nationals or projects part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Authority had banned Balochistan Liberation Army in 2006, while the Majeed Brigade — known as the suicide squad of Balochistan Liberation Army — was proscribed in 2024.

Earlier in July, the US had declared The Resistance Front, which initially claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks in India-controlled Kashmir, as terrorist organization.