US Declares Pakistan’s Baloch Liberation Army a Foreign Terrorist Organization

Washington, August 12 (H.S.) – The United States has designated the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group active in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The US State Department announced the decision on Monday.

The BLA is considered one of the most influential militant outfits operating for years in the mineral-rich Balochistan region, which borders Afghanistan and Iran. The area holds strategic importance due to China’s investments in the Gwadar deep-sea port and other infrastructure projects.

According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the BLA recently claimed responsibility for hijacking the Pakistani ‘Jaffar Express’ train in March, which was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar. The incident resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel, while over 300 passengers were taken hostage.

With its designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, providing financial support or any form of assistance to the group is now prohibited under US law.