NEW DELHI– India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar praised the United States for designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). He called the move a “strong affirmation” of the growing counter-terrorism partnership between India and the U.S.
“A strong affirmation of India–U.S. counter-terrorism cooperation,” Jaishankar posted on X on Friday. “Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for Terrorism. #OpSindoor.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation on Thursday, emphasizing that the decision reflects the Trump administration’s firm stance against terrorism and its commitment to justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
“This action demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack,” Rubio said.
He confirmed that TRF has been added to the list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists under U.S. laws and executive orders.
“TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians,” Rubio stated. “This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT.”
The designation is expected to cut off TRF’s access to international financial systems, heighten global monitoring of its members, and increase diplomatic pressure on Pakistan-based terror groups that use proxy fronts to evade scrutiny.
India has long advocated for international recognition of TRF’s involvement in cross-border terrorism. The U.S. action is being viewed in New Delhi as both a diplomatic victory and a warning to terror outfits attempting to rebrand under new names.
The announcement comes shortly after the United Nations Security Council issued a strong statement condemning the Pahalgam massacre and calling for the prosecution of those responsible, including the individuals and entities that supported or financed the attack.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 people, including 25 tourists—one of them from Nepal—and a local pony handler. Victims were reportedly singled out based on their religious identity before being gunned down by terrorists. (Source: IANS)
