New Pak-US front against terror trains sights on BLA, TTP

Pakistan and the United States on Tuesday pledged to deepen counterterrorism cooperation, with a renewed focus on tackling outlawed terrorist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Islamic State (ISIS)-Khorasan and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

But what was significant in the joint statement issued after the latest round of counterterrorism dialogue held in Islamabad was that it was for the first time the US agreed to work together with Pakistan to tackle groups such as the outlawed BLA.

The two countries regularly hold counterterrorism dialogue but never before the joint statement made mention of terrorist groups such as the BLA. The latest move highlights the growing security and counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries.

It came a day after the US State Department formally designated BLA and its suicide squad, Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). The development is seen as a major diplomatic victory for Pakistan at a time when India is openly supporting terrorist groups, including BLA to create instability in Balochistan.

The State Department said on Monday it has also added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s existing Specially-Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) listing, first imposed in 2019. The latest designation will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

“Today’s action demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism,” the State Department said, adding that such designations “play a critical role” in restricting support and resources for terrorist activity.

The BLA was blacklisted in 2019 following a string of deadly attacks in Pakistan. Since then, the group has continued to target civilians and security forces, often using the Majeed Brigade to carry out high-profile suicide missions.

In 2024, the BLA claimed responsibility for suicide attacks near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. This year, it claimed the hijacking of the Jaffar Express, which killed 31 people, including security personnel, and saw over 300 passengers held hostage.

The other highlight of the joint statement issued on Tuesday was that the US, contrary to the Indian allegations, lauded Pakistan’s continued successes to contain terrorist entities that posed a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world.

This, according to observers, clearly indicated that the US was not ready to buy the Indian narrative that Pakistan was behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

The joint statement said that Pakistan and the US reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. 
According to the joint statement, the dialogue was co-chaired by Special Secretary for the United  Nations, Nabeel Munir and US Department of State Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory D LoGerfo. 

“Both delegations underscored the critical importance of developing effective approaches to terrorist threats, including those posed by Balochistan  Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan,” the statement read.

The United States applauded Pakistan’s continued successes to contain terrorist entities that pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world.
Furthermore, the United States expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and members of law-enforcement agencies in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including the barbaric Jaffar Express terrorist attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar.

Both delegations emphasised the importance of building stronger institutional frameworks and developing capabilities to respond to security challenges and to counter the use of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

Both sides reaffirmed their intention to work closely in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, to promote effective and enduring approaches to counterterrorism. 
Reaffirming the long-standing partnership between Pakistan and the United States, both sides emphasised that sustained and structured engagement remains vital to countering terrorism and promoting peace and stability.

Pakistan and the US counterterrorism saw a renewed push since President Donald Trump took office for his second term. Since then the relationship has been on the upward trajectory with frequent high-level exchanges and visits.

This year, Pakistan, acting on the US intelligence, arrested and extradited one of the masterminds of August 2021 Kabul Airport attack. That assistance led President Trump to publicly praise Pakistan in his maiden address to the US Congress.