The Balochistan conflict has reached a sombre milestone, as the United States has officially labelled the Balochistan Liberation Army, an armed group as a foreign terrorist organisation, a decision that stirs profound worry among residents in Pakistan’s troubled province. Announced on 11 August, this move amplifies the anguish felt by communities long caught in the crossfire of insurgency and state responses, where every new escalation revives painful memories of loss.
BLA as An Armed Group Terrorists
The Balochistan Liberation Army (armed group), often referred to as the Majeed Brigade, now faces stricter sanctions following its prior status as a specially designated global terrorist since 2019. US authorities cited the group’s involvement in violent acts as the basis for this heightened classification, aimed at disrupting support for such activities. For the people of Balochistan, Pakistan’s vast yet impoverished province, this label evokes a mix of relief and dread, as it highlights the ongoing struggle that has claimed countless lives and shattered families.
Among the incidents prompting this action, a devastating attack in March stands out, where the group claimed responsibility for besieging a train en route from Quetta to Peshawar, resulting in the deaths of numerous passengers and security personnel. Earlier assaults in 2019 had already drawn international attention, underscoring a pattern of violence that has plagued the region. Local residents, many of whom have endured displacement and economic hardship, feel the weight of these events deeply, yearning for a return to normalcy amid the fear of reprisals.
This designation arrives against a backdrop of historical grievances in Balochistan, where secessionist movements have persisted since Pakistan’s inception in 1947. The current wave, which gained momentum in the early 2000s, centres on demands for control over the province’s abundant natural resources, including those vital to trade routes like the deep-sea port at Gwadar. Advocates argue that the central government has overlooked the needs of the province’s 15 million inhabitants, fostering resentment that fuels the unrest. Such narratives resonate with families who have lost loved ones, reminding them of the human stories behind the headlines.
The decision has also fuelled diplomatic strains, with Pakistan pointing fingers at neighbouring India for allegedly supporting the violence, a charge that India has refuted. Meanwhile, US officials have framed the action as part of broader efforts to promote stability, even as claims emerge about American involvement in recent ceasefires between the two nations. For ordinary citizens in Balochistan, these international dynamics only compound the uncertainty, leaving them to ponder the future for their children in a land marked by division.
As voices from within Pakistan welcome the US stance, viewing it as validation of their fight against extremism, the broader implications linger. Communities hope this step might curb the cycle of attacks, yet the emotional scars remain fresh, binding people in a shared plea for enduring peace. This latest chapter in the Balochistan conflict serves as a stark call for dialogue, to heal the wounds that continue to divide a resilient yet suffering population.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 12th, 2025
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