Washington D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): In a significant move aimed at reinforcing counterterrorism efforts, the United States Department of State on Thursday officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The announcement was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing TRF’s direct links to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT).
The designation comes in response to TRF’s claim of responsibility for the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. It was the deadliest assault on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks—also orchestrated by LeT.
“TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre. This designation demonstrates the Trump Administration’s unwavering commitment to justice and the security of our allies and partners,” Secretary Rubio stated.
The Department of State also noted that TRF has carried out multiple attacks on Indian security forces over the past few years, including several deadly incidents throughout 2024.
The terrorist designation was made under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorism. The designations also apply to TRF’s aliases and affiliated networks.
Simultaneously, the State Department reaffirmed and maintained Lashkar-e-Tayyiba’s existing FTO status, reinforcing that TRF is merely a repackaged extension of the proscribed terror group operating under a new name to evade global scrutiny.
These designations carry legal consequences, including the freezing of assets under U.S. jurisdiction, travel bans, and criminal penalties for U.S. persons who engage in transactions with TRF or LeT.
The announcement is seen as a strong diplomatic signal amid renewed global focus on cross-border terrorism in South Asia, particularly in the wake of escalating violence in Kashmir. The move is expected to garner support from New Delhi, which has long urged global partners to crack down on terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan.
“Enforcing accountability for the Pahalgam attack is not only a matter of justice—it is essential for global peace and stability,” Rubio emphasized.
The FTO amendments go into effect immediately upon their publication in the Federal Register.
