Designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Terrorist Organization

The US State Department has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

Key Developments

• TRF has claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack that resulted in 26 civilian deaths, marking the most deadly civilian attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks by LeT.
• The designation is part of the ongoing India-US counter-terrorism cooperation, with significant appreciation expressed by India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar.
• Designating an entity as an FTO under US law criminalizes activities such as financing, aiding, or advising such organizations.

US and India Cooperation

• The US action underscores the Trump administration's commitment to counter-terrorism and national security, also advancing justice for the Pahalgam attack victims.
• The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed this decision, highlighting India's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and the need for dismantling terror infrastructure.
• India has been actively pushing for TRF's designation at the United Nations Security Council, efforts that were initially obstructed by Pakistan.

Legal and Strategic Implications

• TRF, along with its aliases, has been appended to LeT’s designation as an FTO and SDGT under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224.
• The US Department of State has reiterated the critical role of FTO designations in combating terrorism, focusing on curtailing support for terrorist activities.
• Amendments to FTO designations become effective upon their publication in the Federal Register.