US Backs Pakistan as Violence Escalates in Balochistan

The United States voiced its support for Pakistan after a series of violent militant attacks in Balochistan. The State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs shared a message on X, calling the incidents “horrific.” They emphasized that the US remains a committed partner to Pakistan during this difficult time.

In early 2026, the security situation in Balochistan underwent a dramatic escalation, characterized by a series of high-intensity offensive and counter-offensive operations. This cycle of violence includes Operation Herof by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Pakistani state’s OperationRad-ul-Fitna. These operations have drawn significant international concern, including from the US State Department.

On Jan 29 BLA launched Operation Herof 2.0 a direct sequel of the Operation Herof 1.  At least 12 districts including Quetta, Gawadar, Mastung, Nushki, Pasni, Kharan and others were attacked. Nushki was occupied by the BLA for three days. The attacks involved gun assaults, suicide bombings, sieges, bank robberies, vehicle torching and temporary occupations. The terrorists targeted police stations, security installations, a high security prison, banks, schools, markets, homes of civilians and highways. 31 to 40 civilians were killed during these attacks, 15-22 security personnel were killed. According to a UN Security Council statement there were 48-50 casualties. Pakistan suffered a lot due to this operation.

In response to this Pakistan launched Operation Radd-ul-Fitna on January 29 and concluded it after about a week. 216 militants were killed in this operation. But BLA claimed only 18 fighters were killed. According to ISPR those terrorists were Indian sponsored. It was concluded on February 5, 2026.

In Phase 1 BLA attacked dozens of locations in Balochistan in which they targeted security forces, highways and infrastructures. The attacks were in a wide range rather than hit and run assaults. Dozens of security personnel and civilians were killed in this phase. Phase 1 was declared as a test for the second more lethal phase.

The statement from the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs serves as a vital diplomatic endorsement of Pakistan’s national security narrative, effectively rebranding the localized conflict as a global counter-terrorism priority. In August 2025, the U.S. The State Department officially labelled BLA and its suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and added them in the FTO list. FTO is an official US government label for international groups that use violence to threaten national security. This designation makes it a crime to provide them with money or support and allows the government to freeze their bank accounts and block their members from traveling.

By labelling the BLA’s recent actions as “horrific” and reaffirming their status as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, The US provides Pakistan with the necessary support to fight against terrorism. This support essentially shifts the focus away from the BLA’s claims of a “liberation struggle” under Operation Herof, instead framing the state’s heavy-handed response as a legitimate defense of sovereignty and critical economic assets. Ultimately, this public show of solidarity from Washington strengthens Islamabad’s hand at the UN, signaling a unified front against militant groups that threaten regional stability and shared economic interests.

Also See: Balochistan’s Security Challenges, Criminal Networks, and Ground Realities