India hails move as diplomatic victory
Diplomat Foreign Desk
Washington, (DD): In a significant counter-terrorism move, the United States Department of State has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The designation follows TRF’s claim of responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 28 civilians, including several tourists.
The State Department said TRF’s designation underscores the United States’ commitment to countering terrorism and supporting international efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. The Pahalgam massacre was described as the deadliest terrorist attack on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, also carried out by LeT.
According to the official statement, TRF and its aliases have been added to the designation of LeT under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. The revised designations take effect following their publication in the Federal Register.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed the US move, calling it a strong step in India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. In a social media post, he thanked the US State Department and lawmakers for the designation and reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
The Indian Embassy in Washington also issued a statement applauding the decision. It described TRF as a rebranded front of Lashkar-e-Taiba and praised the US action as a reflection of the growing strategic alignment between the two countries in the fight against terrorism.
TRF has long been regarded by Indian security agencies as a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy created in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Security officials say TRF was part of Pakistan’s strategy to rebrand banned terror groups and project a false narrative of indigenous militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Investigations into the Pahalgam massacre revealed that TRF militants, armed with automatic weapons, indiscriminately fired upon civilians and security personnel in the tourist hotspot of Baisaran. Intelligence reports later confirmed that the attack was planned and coordinated under direct supervision from Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies.
In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps and infrastructure across the Line of Control. The operation reportedly destroyed nine terror launchpads and killed over 100 militants. Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile strikes, which were repelled by Indian forces. The escalation ended with Pakistan requesting a ceasefire on May 10.
India also dispatched seven all-party delegations to 33 capitals, including Washington DC, to highlight Pakistan’s continued support to terror groups. The diplomatic outreach appears to have contributed to the US decision to formally designate TRF as a terrorist entity.
TRF, originally founded in 2019 by former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Muhammad Abbas Sheikh, has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks in recent years. These include the killing of Hindu pilgrims in Reasi in 2024, a deadly ambush on Indian security officers in Anantnag in 2023, and multiple attacks on migrant workers and political leaders across Kashmir.
Following the deaths of its earlier commanders Abbas Sheikh and Basit Ahmed Dar, the group is now reportedly led by Sheikh Sajjad Gul, who is believed to be operating from Pakistan. He has been designated a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and carries a bounty of ₹10 lakh.
With the US designation, TRF now joins the ranks of globally sanctioned terror groups, further isolating Pakistan and exposing its support for militant networks. Indian officials have called on the international community to recognize Pakistan’s role in exporting terrorism and take coordinated action to dismantle its terror infrastructure.
