US Classifies TRF as Terrorist Organization Following Jammu and Kashmir Attack

The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This designation follows a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death of 26 individuals, marking it as the deadliest attack on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this decision on Thursday, asserting the Trump administration's commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding global interests. Rubio confirmed that TRF had taken public responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, identifying itself as a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

India expressed approval of the US decision, considering it a timely and significant measure. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the US action underscores the strong cooperation between India and the United States in the fight against terrorism. The MEA also highlighted that TRF, a group based in Pakistan, was directly involved in the April 22 incident and praised Secretary Rubio's leadership in executing this decision.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar lauded the designation as a strong message of zero tolerance towards terrorism. In a social media post, he emphasized that this action reinforces India-US counter-terrorism cooperation and holds TRF accountable for its involvement in the Pahalgam attack.

Previously, the United Nations Security Council had condemned the attack. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin earlier this week, Dr. Jaishankar called for an uncompromising global response to terrorism and reiterated India's stance on dismantling terror networks.

This decision by the United States is anticipated to increase international pressure on terrorist networks based in Pakistan and enhance coordination between India and its global partners to mitigate cross-border threats.