Washington( The COW News Digital) The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a foreign terrorist organization after the group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir.
According to international media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision, stating that TRF operates as a proxy and front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a group already designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the United Nations.
“This designation reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to safeguarding U.S. national security interests and delivering justice for the victims of terrorism. The Pahalgam attack was one of the deadliest in India since 2008,” Secretary Rubio said in a press release.
The Pahalgam attack, which took place on April 22, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals at the popular tourist destination in Kashmir. The assault involved unidentified gunmen opening fire on a convoy, and was swiftly claimed by TRF, sparking international condemnation.
The U.S. State Department noted that TRF has also claimed multiple attacks on Indian security forces in recent years. The group was already designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, but this new move by the U.S. adds further pressure on its operations and funding.
India has accused Pakistan of providing safe haven and support to TRF and other militant groups operating in Kashmir, a claim Islamabad has repeatedly denied. Following the Pahalgam massacre, Pakistan rejected the Indian allegations and instead called for an independent international investigation into the attack. Islamabad also expressed its willingness to cooperate with any credible probe to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The TRF’s inclusion on the U.S. terror list means its assets under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and U.S. citizens are prohibited from any transactions with the group. Additionally, any known supporters or facilitators of TRF may now face sanctions or prosecution.
This development marks a significant shift in Washington’s South Asia counterterrorism policy and may further strain already tense India-Pakistan relations.
