TRF Designated a Global Terror Threat
The United States has officially declared The Resistance Front (TRF) a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) following its role in the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a formal statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said:
“Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).”
“TRF is a front and proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist group based in Pakistan.”
The action is part of broader efforts to counter terrorism and follows the Trump administration’s call for accountability.
“This designation demonstrates 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,” Rubio added.
Details of the April 22 Pahalgam Attack
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On April 22, heavily armed terrorists descended on Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and opened fire on civilians and tourists.
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The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people, making it one of the deadliest terror incidents since Pulwama in 2019.
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TRF, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the massacre.
Operation Sindoor: India Responds
In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist camps across the border:
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Nine terrorist infrastructure sites linked to LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammad were destroyed.
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Over 100 terrorists were reportedly eliminated.
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Indian forces also responded to Pakistani drone attacks and conducted precision strikes on airbases in Nur Khan, Murid, Jacobabad, and Bholari.
After four days of fighting, a ceasefire was requested by Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations and was agreed upon by both sides on May 10.
India’s Diplomatic Measures Post-Attack
Following the Pahalgam attack:
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India revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals.
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Pakistani military attachés were expelled.
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The Indus Waters Treaty was suspended.
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The Attari-Wagah border was shut down immediately.
Who Is TRF?
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TRF was formed in 2019 as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, reportedly to avoid scrutiny by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) after the Pulwama attack and the revocation of Article 370.
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Indian intelligence agencies have assessed that TRF is essentially LeT operating under a different name.
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TRF has been involved in:
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Civilian killings in Jammu and Kashmir, including migrant workers and minorities
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The twin drone attacks on the Jammu Air Force station in June 2021
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Weapon drops via UAVs from across the border
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Propaganda, recruitment, infiltration, and smuggling of arms and narcotics
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🛑 TRF Already Banned in India
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In January 2023, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs banned TRF under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
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TRF’s commander, Sajjad Gul, was already designated an individual terrorist in 2022.
“TRF has been involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir,” the MHA noted.
