Australia sanctions BLA, affiliates
The Australian government on Friday imposed counterterrorism financing sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its senior leaders "for their engagement in and support of terrorist attacks".
Announcing the sanctions, Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said that the BLA has conducted "violent terror attacks" across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, and foreign nationals, as well as the Pakistani state.
"The Australian Government has today imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on the Balochistan Liberation Army and three senior leaders, for their engagement in and support of terrorist attacks," Wong said in a statement carried on the official website of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
"The Australian Government's commitment to countering terrorism and violent extremism is unwavering. These sanctions help cut off financial support of terrorists, making it harder for them to fund operations, recruit and spread their harmful ideology," she said.
Wong said the BLA has carried violent terror attacks across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, and foreign nationals. "We remain committed to working with our international partners to confront and dismantle the networks that fuel threats to our security," she said.
According to the government listing, the BLA is active in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran. It said that the sanctions have been imposed on May 8 "pursuant to the Charter of the United Nations (Listed Persons and Entities) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2026".
The lists also mentions BLA aliases and affiliates, including Baloch Liberation Army, Fitna al-Hindustan, Majeed Brigade, Fateh Squad, Zephyr Intelligence Research and Analysis Bureau, Qazi Aero Hive Rangers, QAHR, Hakkal, Fidayeen Squad, Special Tactical Operations Squad, Bashir Zaib, Hammal Rehan and Jeeyand Baloch and others.
Under the new sanctions, it would be a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of a listed person or entity, or to make assets available to them. Penalties for a breach of an Australian sanctions law include heavy fines and up to 10 years' imprisonment. "Australia's counter terrorism sanctions are targeted, proportionate and designed to uphold international peace and security, Wong stated.