US Declares TRF a Foreign Terrorist Group After Deadly Pahalgam Attack That Killed 26 in Jammu & Kashmir

New Delhi (India) July 18: The United States formally recognized The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. It is a known part of the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The announcement comes months after the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack claimed 26 lives.

US Action Against TRF

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)" in a statement issued Thursday.

He added, “TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT's designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Registrar.”

According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the terrorist organization is a "front and proxy" of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization banned by the UN.

He said, "These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrate the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack." 

Lashkar-e-Taiba Connection

According to US sources, the Pahalgam incident was the biggest terror attack on Indian citizens since Lashkar's 2008 Mumbai strikes.

Earlier, the US emphasized its strong support for India's counterterrorism efforts and the bilateral strategic alliance. It happened during the visit of an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation.

The incident at Pahalgam has been linked to the Resistance Front (TRF). It is also known as Kashmir Resistance. The terror group, however, withdrew its claims and denied any involvement a few days later.

Numerous terror acts in India and other countries have allegedly been carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba. It is an Islamist militant organization that the US has classified as a "foreign terrorist group." 

In Jammu and Kashmir, the terrorist group has been known to attack civilians for the previous three to four years. These include migrant workers, Kashmiri Pandits and others.

TRF is also responsible for the twin-drone strikes that occurred at the Jammu Indian Air Force (IAF) station in June 2021.

Four armed terrorists entered the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam on April 22. They shot Hindu men who had confirmed their faith.

Operation Sindoor

This led to a significant military confrontation on May 7. India launched Operation Sindoor. It involved precision airstrikes against terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).

India destroyed Pakistan's main military installations during the operation, including Rawalpindi's Noor Khan air base. Pakistan has repeatedly violated ceasefires along the international border in Punjab and Rajasthan and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir.

Pakistan's director general of military operations called his Indian counterpart on a hotline on May 10. He requested a cease-fire after four days of fierce fighting.

A ceasefire agreement was established after talks between the two neighboring countries. All air, sea and land military operations were suspended.

Aadrika Tayal