US says TRF deserves foreign terrorist organisation designation.
Last week, the United States officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and also as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). counterterrorism strategy, indicating growing concerns over TRF’s activities and affiliations. The designation imposes severe legal and financial restrictions on the group, including asset freezes and travel bans. It also signals Washington’s commitment to supporting India’s efforts to combat terrorism.
Washington: The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has welcomed the designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a global terrorist organisation. The move comes in response to the recent deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of several innocent civilians and security personnel. In a strong statement, the Committee said that any group or individual that “butchers civilians” will not be granted impunity but will face justice. The designation underscores Washington’s firm stance against terrorism and its support for India’s fight against cross-border militant threats.
Washington: In a powerful reaffirmation of its stance against global terrorism, the United States last week officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) — a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group The decision came in the wake of the horrific April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 innocent civilians dead, including women and children.
The designation was not just a bureaucratic formality but a resounding condemnation of TRF’s heinous actions and its ideological ties to internationally proscribed terrorist networks. The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Republican Representative Brian Mast, welcomed the move with an unambiguous statement:
The Committee’s message was clear and emotionally charged.
It was a terrorist attack—simple and straightforward,” the post read, echoing the outrage felt by families of victims and communities still grappling with the aftermath.
This was not the first time the Committee expressed its displeasure over how the incident had been portrayed. It specifically criticized The New York Times for calling the attackers “militants” in its headline, “At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir.”
“Hey, @nytimes, we fixed it for you. In the graphic shared, they boldly replaced the word “militants” with “terrorists” in large red letters — a symbolic act that spoke volumes about the need to call out terror for what it truly is.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced the designations, said the action was a part of the Biden administration’s — and more broadly, Washington’s — unwavering commitment to fighting global terrorism. He reaffirmed that this move aligns with President Trump’s consistent call for justice for the victims of such cowardly acts.
“This is not just about policy. It’s about people. Innocent lives were taken in cold blood.
India responded with appreciation and approval. External Affairs Minister.
“This step shows that both our nations stand together in fighting terror. There must be zero tolerance for those who perpetrate or support such violence,” he said.
The Resistance Front, although relatively newer in name, has deep-rooted connections with Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Intelligence agencies believe that TRF operates as a rebranded arm of LeT, aimed at creating confusion around its origins and gaining legitimacy under a different name. But the US decision cuts through that smokescreen.
While it may not undo the damage or bring back lost loved ones, it sends a strong message: The world is watching, and justice will not be denied.
The designation also means asset freezes, travel bans, and criminal penalties for anyone providing material support to the group. More importantly, it isolates TRF globally and restricts its ability to fund and plan future attacks.
As terrorism continues to evolve with new faces and new tactics, the message from Washington this week was unequivocal — rebranding cannot erase bloodshed, and justice, though delayed, will not be denied.