Washington: In a major move, the United States has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, which was behind the horrific April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO).
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement said the designation of the TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.
The statement reads:
“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, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians.
"This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024."
These actions taken by the Department of State 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.
"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 Register."
Notably, President Trump was among the first global leaders to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack and also speak with PM Modi to offer support to India.
India terms US' FTO designation for The Resistance Front as strong affirmation of bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation
India on Friday termed the US’ designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) as a strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation and for zero tolerance for terrorism.
In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said:“A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation.
“Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Gloabl Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
“Zero tolerance for Terrorism. #OpSindoor.”
In the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, five-six terrorists brutally gunned down 26 people, mostly tourists, at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, after first identifying their religious identify. The attack pushed India to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7 under which Indian forces destroyed nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. It led to a four-day military stand-off between India and Pakistan, which ended with a ceasefire call on May 10.
