US Declares Lashkar Proxy 'TRF' as Terrorist Group for Pahalgam Massacre

The United States Department of State has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), the group responsible for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

In a statement released on Thursday by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department confirmed TRF’s role in the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians — the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

“TRF, a front and proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack,” the statement noted. It added that the group has also been involved in multiple assaults on Indian security forces in recent years, with several such incidents reported in 2024.

The US government stated that this designation reflects its commitment to combating global terrorism and protecting international security interests. “This action underscores the Trump administration’s resolve to bring justice to the victims of terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable,” Rubio’s statement read.

As part of this move, TRF and its associated aliases have been added under LeT’s designation pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. The Department also reaffirmed LeT’s status as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and said the amendments will take effect upon their publication in the Federal Register.

The designation comes days after India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin.

Referencing the April 22 attack, Jaishankar said: “This attack was a deliberate attempt to damage Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism economy and deepen communal divisions.” He added that the United Nations Security Council had strongly condemned the incident and called for accountability.

In a post on X, Jaishankar highlighted the growing threat of terrorism, separatism, and extremism — often seen acting in tandem. He urged the SCO to maintain its founding principles by adopting a firm and united stance against terrorism in all forms.

Also Read: India’s All-Party Delegations Rally Global Backing Following Pahalgam Tragedy