USA designates Pakistan-backed ‘The Resistance Front’ as a terrorist organisation

Group had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians

Washington (USA) – The United States has officially designated ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist group, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and included it in the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This announcement was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Government of India had already declared TRF a terrorist organisation on 5 January 2023.

What did Marco Rubio state ?

  • TRF must be regarded as a front and covert wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the terrorist group responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
  • TRF had claimed responsibility for the deadly terrorist attack on 22 April 2024 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians. It was the deadliest terror attack on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai massacre.
  • This designation reflects the Trump administration’s firm commitment to protecting US national security and combating terrorism globally.

Key facts about ‘The Resistance Front’

This terrorist outfit emerged in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. As per Indian security agencies, TRF is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Apart from executing attacks on civilians and Indian soldiers, it is actively involved in cross-border arms and drug smuggling.

Editorial Perspective

On the surface, the USA condemns and bans terror outfits operating from Pakistan, but at the same time, it continues to provide financial and military aid to Pakistan — the very country that nurtures these groups. This dual policy raises serious questions about America’s sincerity in its so-called war on terror. If the USA truly wishes to curb terrorism, it must stop all forms of support to Pakistan and declare it a terrorist state.