Overview

• The US Department of State added the Balochistan Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade alias to its Foreign Terrorist Organizations list, triggering asset freezes and support bans.
• Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations reported that between August 7 and 11 its forces killed about 50 militants in Zhob district, recovering arms and ammunition.
• A separate ambush in Washuk district near the Iran border reportedly killed nine Pakistani soldiers and injured six others, underscoring persistent insurgent activity.
• BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch denounced the designation as a “colonial narrative” and vowed to persist in the armed campaign for Baloch national liberation.
• Analysts say the US move could open a rare window for China-US counterterrorism cooperation in Pakistan, even as they caution it may harden separatist resolve and heighten regional tensions.