The United States has officially named The Resistance Front (TRF) as a “foreign terrorist organisation.” This decision came after TRF was linked to a deadly terror attack in India’s Kashmir region. The attack in April killed 26 people.
TRF Connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move on Thursday. He confirmed that TRF works as a front group for the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). TRF had claimed responsibility for the attack in Pahalgam and other attacks targeting Indian security forces.
Trump Administration Highlights Firm Action
Rubio said that this move showed the Trump administration’s strong foreign policy. The US State Department issued a statement saying, “These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrate 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.”
Initially, TRF claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. But just a few days later, the group denied any involvement.
India Holds Pakistan Responsible
India blamed its neighbour Pakistan for the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government said Pakistan supports terror groups like TRF to attack Indian forces and civilians.
US Compares Attack to 2008 Mumbai Tragedy
Rubio called the Pahalgam incident “the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT.” The Mumbai attacks had left over 160 people dead.
Pakistan is often accused of using terror groups to destabilise India. Meanwhile, India’s tight military control and human rights issues in Kashmir have created anger and resistance in the region.
In recent years, Hindu nationalist groups in India have demanded stronger control over Kashmir. This region is the country’s only Muslim-majority province.
US Claimed Role in Ceasefire Deal
After the Pahalgam attack, India and Pakistan engaged in multiple retaliatory actions. Later, both sides agreed to a ceasefire. President Trump claimed that his government helped broker the peace deal. However, India denied any US involvement in the truce.