Australia sanctions BLA and three senior leaders over terrorist attacks

CANBERRA: Australia has imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and three of its senior leaders, according to a statement issued by the office of Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

The statement, dated May 8, said: “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.”

Australia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the BLA as a group responsible for violent attacks in Pakistan. The organisation had carried out assaults targeting civilians, key infrastructure, foreign nationals and the Pakistani state.

“These appalling attacks have targeted civilians, critical infrastructure, and foreign nationals, as well as the Pakistani state,” the statement read.

The Australian government said its resolve on counter-terrorism and efforts to curb violent extremism remained firm. The sanctions were intended to disrupt financial backing for militants and make it more difficult for them to finance activities, recruit members and spread extremist ideology.

“These sanctions help cut off financial support of terrorists, making it harder for them to fund operations, recruit and spread their harmful ideology,” it added.

Wong’s office also said Australia would continue working with international partners to dismantle networks that threaten its security. Under the sanctions framework, using or dealing with the assets of a listed person or entity, or making assets available to them, is a criminal offence that can lead to substantial fines and up to 10 years in prison.

Pakistan’s push for international action

Pakistan has been urging countries and international bodies to formally designate the BLA as a terrorist organisation. The group was behind attacks including the Jaffar Express hijacking in March 2025, when militants seized a train carrying more than 400 passengers. The following day, the military launched an operation in which 33 terrorists were killed.

In February, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, called on the UN Security Council to move quickly on a request to place the BLA under its sanctions regime.

“We hope the council will act swiftly to designate BLA under the 1267 sanctions regime, acceding to the listing request that is currently under consideration,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, told a UNSC briefing on ‘Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts’.

Last August, Pakistan also welcomed the United States’ decision to place the BLA and the Majeed Brigade on its Foreign Terrorist Organisation list, according to a Foreign Office press release.

The release said: “BLA/Majeed Brigade is involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the heinous Jaffer Express terrorist incident and the Khuzdar bus attack that resulted in the loss of precious lives.”

Australia’s latest move adds to international action already taken against the group, as Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts to secure broader recognition of the BLA as a terrorist organisation.