DND Report
Islamabad, Pakistan: As the United States has blocked a China-Pakistan joint proposal to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade under the UN 1267 terror sanctions regime, former diplomats in Islamabad believe that the absence of an immediate UN 1267 designation should be viewed as a procedural stage in an ongoing legal and diplomatic process, not as a defeat for Pakistan’s stance or a validation of the terrorist BLA.
In the past, the United States also blocked the move, along with the United Kingdom and France, in September 2025 when Pakistan and China moved to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide unit, the Majeed Brigade, under the UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Regime. This is the second time the US has blocked this attempt, although the BLA, after attacking civilians, hijacking and bombing trains, took responsibility for such heinous terror acts.
At a time when Islamabad believes that it has exceptionally good relations with Washington, the US move to block the attempt against the BLA could be unexpected for Pakistani diplomats.
A number of former diplomats who were contacted by DND News Agency to comment on the situation said that the 1267 sanctions regime operates through consensus and applies specific criteria related to Al-Qaeda and Daesh associations, requiring a high legal threshold before sanctions can be imposed.
They believe a delay or technical hold does not mean that evidence has been rejected. Rather, it indicates that the Committee may require additional material before reaching a consensus. Such requests are a normal part of international sanctions procedures, especially given the global obligations that a 1267 listing creates for all UN member states.
They were of the view that the terrorist BLA’s status under national counterterrorism laws remains unchanged regardless of the UN process. Existing designations and sanctions imposed by Pakistan and several international partners continue to apply. A UN listing would expand those restrictions globally, but the absence of one does not reverse existing legal measures.
Pakistan has already achieved an important diplomatic objective by placing the matter before the UN’s highest counterterrorism mechanism. The process remains open, allowing member states to submit additional evidence and continue engagement with the Committee. International sanctions are often the result of sustained diplomacy rather than a single decision.
Attempts to portray a procedural delay as a “clean chit” misunderstand the nature of the process. “Not listed under 1267” is not equivalent to “not a terrorist organization.” The former reflects the status of a specific UN procedure, while the latter is a much broader legal question already addressed by various national jurisdictions.
The appropriate conclusion is that the process remains ongoing. Pakistan can continue to engage Committee members, provide additional material where required, and pursue consensus through legal and diplomatic channels. A technical hold is not an exoneration; it is simply one stage in a longer international process.
It may be mentioned that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide attack wing, the Majeed Brigade, have claimed responsibility for a series of high-profile attacks targeting security forces, Chinese interests, government installations, and critical infrastructure across Pakistan over the past several years. The attacks have ranged from suicide bombings and coordinated assaults to attacks on economic and strategic targets, particularly those linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
One of the earliest major attacks attributed to the Majeed Brigade occurred on August 11, 2018, when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus carrying Chinese engineers near the Saindak project in Dalbandin, Balochistan. Several people were injured in the attack.
Later that year, on November 23, 2018, three terrorists attacked the Chinese Consulate in Karachi. The assailants were killed by security forces after a gun battle, but two police personnel and two civilians lost their lives.
On May 11, 2019, armed terrorists stormed the Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar, a facility frequently used by foreign visitors and government officials. At least eight people were killed in the assault before security forces regained control of the premises.
The group also claimed responsibility for the June 29, 2020 attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi, where four terrorists attempted to storm the building. Security personnel repelled the attack and killed all four assailants, though several people, including security officials, were killed during the incident.
A significant escalation occurred on April 26, 2022, when a female suicide bomber identified as Shari Baloch targeted a vehicle carrying Chinese teachers outside the Confucius Institute at Karachi University. Three Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed. The attack marked one of the rare instances of a female suicide bomber being deployed by the organization.
The Majeed Brigade later claimed a suicide attack on a military convoy near Turbat on July 13, 2023, resulting in casualties among Pakistani security personnel.
On March 20, 2024, multiple terrorists attempted to storm the Gwadar Port Authority Complex, a strategic installation linked to Pakistan’s maritime and economic development plans. Security forces killed the attackers following an extended gun battle.
A series of coordinated attacks across multiple districts of Balochistan on August 26, 2024 targeted highways, security checkpoints, infrastructure, and civilian locations. Pakistani authorities reported dozens of casualties in what was described as one of the largest coordinated operations attributed to the BLA.
Another major incident occurred on November 9, 2024, when a suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station killed and injured numerous passengers and security personnel. The BLA subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack.
In addition to these high-profile incidents, the BLA has frequently been linked to attacks on Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, security convoys, gas pipelines, railway tracks, electricity transmission networks, and communications infrastructure across Balochistan. The organization has also repeatedly targeted projects associated with CPEC and Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
The Jaffar Express attack (March 11, 2025) is one of the most significant attacks attributed to the BLA. BLA attacked the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar near the Bolan Pass area. The attackers reportedly blew up a section of railway track, halted the train, and took hundreds of passengers hostage. Pakistani security forces launched a large-scale rescue operation that lasted for several hours. Dozens of militants, security personnel, and passengers were killed during the incident. The BLA claimed responsibility, describing the operation as one of its largest attacks. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Jaffar Express attack is widely regarded as one of the group’s most consequential operations because it combined sabotage, hostage-taking, and a large-scale confrontation with security forces, drawing international attention and condemnation.
The Majeed Brigade functions as the BLA’s special operations and suicide attack unit. The group is known for carrying out complex assaults, suicide bombings, and attacks against high-value targets. It has particularly focused on Chinese interests, security installations, and strategic economic projects.
According to security analysts, the brigade has emerged as one of the most active militant factions operating under the BLA umbrella, specializing in high-impact operations designed to attract international attention.
The BLA and its Majeed Brigade wing have primarily targeted:
• Pakistani military and paramilitary forces
• Police and intelligence personnel
• Chinese nationals and CPEC-related projects
• Government infrastructure and strategic installations
• Transportation networks and energy infrastructure
Pakistani authorities have designated the BLA as a terrorist organization and continue counterterrorism operations against the group and its affiliated networks in Balochistan and other parts of the country.
