Washington takes decisive action against Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot responsible for April 22 Kashmir massacre.
US State Department Designates TRF as Terror Group
The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The announcement comes in response to TRF’s claim of responsibility for the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 civilians.
Key Highlights from US Statement
- Statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
- “TRF, a Lashkar-e-Taiba front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians.”
- “This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.”
- TRF has also claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Indian security forces, including several incidents in 2024.
- Commitment to Counterterrorism:
- The move underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting national security and countering global terrorism.
- The designation aligns with President Trump’s call for justice following the Pahalgam tragedy.
- Legal Basis:
- TRF and its known aliases have now been added under LeT’s FTO and SDGT designations.
- Action taken under:
- Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Executive Order 13224 related to terrorist financing and threats.
- The amended designation becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
India Reacts: S. Jaishankar Calls for Global Unity Against Terrorism
On Tuesday, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar condemned the Pahalgam attack at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.
Key Points from His Statement:
- Referred to terrorism, separatism, and extremism as a “triple threat” that must be confronted collectively.
- Described the Pahalgam attack as a deliberate attempt to disrupt Kashmir’s tourism economy and incite religious discord.
- Welcomed the UN Security Council’s condemnation, which emphasized accountability for the perpetrators, sponsors, and financiers of the attack.
- Asserted that India has acted and will continue to pursue justice for the victims.
“It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Background: The April 22 Pahalgam Attack
- On April 22, 2025, TRF militants targeted civilians in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The mass shooting resulted in 26 civilian deaths, marking the worst civilian casualty toll in India since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
- The attack was widely condemned internationally, including by the United Nations Security Council.
