US designates Pakistan-backed ‘The Resistance Front’ as terrorist organisation over Pahalgam attack
In an important move, the United States has officially labeled The Resistance Front (TRF) as a foreign terrorist group. TRF is a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terror group based in Pakistan. This decision comes after TRF was found to be behind the deadly attack in Pahalgam.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said in a statement on Thursday that this action shows America’s strong support for justice, following President Donald Trump’s promise after the Pahalgam incident.
The attack happened on April 22 in the town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-six people lost their lives. TRF had first said they carried out the attack but later took back the claim as things got tense between India and Pakistan.
India’s top anti-terror agency, the NIA, has named Sheikh Sajjad Gul, the leader of TRF, as the main person behind the attack.
US officially recognised TRF as Foreign Terrorist Organization
Rubio announced that the U.S. government is officially recognizing The Resistance Front (TRF) as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group.
He explained that TRF and its other names are now part of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) existing designation as a terrorist group. This was done under two key laws — the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. The U.S. has also reviewed and kept LeT’s designation as an FTO.
Rubio said this move shows the Trump administration’s strong stand on fighting terrorism, protecting national security, and keeping its word to seek justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
He added, “The Pahalgam attack was the deadliest on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which were also carried out by LeT. TRF has also claimed several other attacks on Indian security forces, including some as recent as 2024.”
India’s response to Pahalgam attack
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7. During this mission, India targeted nine terror-related sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Later in May, India sent seven groups of representatives to 33 major world capitals, including Washington, to highlight Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism and rally international support.
About LeT backed TRF
The Resistance Front (TRF), also called Kashmir Resistance, had first said it was behind the attack in Pahalgam. But just a few days later, the group took back its statement and denied any role in the attack. India had already declared TRF a terrorist group on January 5, 2023.
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the group linked to TRF, is a well-known terrorist organisation. LeT has been blamed for carrying out many deadly attacks in India and other countries. One of the most serious attacks linked to LeT was the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, which lasted three days and caused massive destruction and loss of life.
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