AI Generated Summary
- With both Washington and New Delhi taking a unified stance, this development is being seen as a boost to India-US counter-terrorism cooperation and a clear message to terror outfits operating under state patronage in the region.
- The TRF, believed to be a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility for the assault — the deadliest targeting of civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
- In a significant move aimed at strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation, the United States has formally designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based terror outfit, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity.
In a significant move aimed at strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation, the United States has formally designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based terror outfit, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity.
The announcement, made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, comes in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The TRF, believed to be a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility for the assault — the deadliest targeting of civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Rubio underscored the gravity of the decision, stating, “The Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. TRF and its associated aliases have been added to LeT’s designation under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224.”
He further emphasized that the move reflects the Donald Trump Administration’s resolve to combat global terrorism. “This designation is a strong signal of our commitment to protecting national security interests and ensuring justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack,” Rubio said.
India’s Diplomatic Push Pays Off
The US action follows weeks of sustained diplomatic pressure from India. In May, an Indian delegation presented detailed evidence against TRF to senior officials at the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. New Delhi has long accused TRF of being a mere front for the LeT, which continues to operate from Pakistani soil despite international sanctions.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Washington’s decision, saying, “We acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in taking this decisive step. It is an important development in the global fight against terrorism.”
A Proxy of Lashkar-e-Toiba
The TRF, formed as a supposed indigenous Kashmiri militant group, is widely viewed by security analysts as a strategic rebranding of Lashkar-e-Toiba. By adopting a neutral-sounding name, TRF aimed to bypass international scrutiny and avoid the stigma associated with Pakistani-backed terror outfits.
Apart from the Pahalgam massacre, TRF has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Indian security forces, including high-profile strikes in 2024.
A Message to Pakistan
While Islamabad has yet to comment on the US designation, analysts say the move increases pressure on Pakistan to take tangible action against terror groups operating on its territory.
With both Washington and New Delhi taking a unified stance, this development is being seen as a boost to India-US counter-terrorism cooperation and a clear message to terror outfits operating under state patronage in the region.
