US government designates Balochistan Liberation Army as global terrorist group

"Additionally, the Department of State has amended the terrorist designations of Jundallah to reflect the group’s new primary name Jaysh al-Adl and associated aliases. These aliases have been added to the group’s designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and as an SDGT under E.O. 13224," the Department said in a statement.

The Department has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of Jundallah.

Today’s actions seek to deny Hazzima, BLA, and Jaysh al-Adl the resources to plan and carry out terrorist attacks, the department said.

"All of their property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them," the department said.

Pakistan's Foreign Office reacted to the move and said it hopes that the BLA’s space to operate is 'minimized' following the US government's decision.

" We have taken note of the designation by the U.S. Administration of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). BLA remains a proscribed entity in Pakistan since 2006 and in recent times has carried out several terrorist attacks in the country," read the statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office.

"It is hoped that this designation will ensure that BLA’s space to operate is minimized. It is important that the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and external sponsors including those glorifying these acts of terror against Pakistan are held accountable and brought to justice," it said.