In July 2025, the United States 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 a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
This decision followed TRF’s claim of responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
The U.S. move marks the deadliest attack on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.India welcomed the U.S. decision as a diplomatic win, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighting it as a strong affirmation of India-U.S. counter-terrorism cooperation. The Indian Embassy in Washington called it a significant step in exposing Pakistan’s patronage of cross-border terrorism.TRF, formed after the revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status in 2019, is widely seen as a rebranded Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot. Intelligence and forensic data revealed TRF operates under Pakistan’s military command, particularly linked to Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir. Its leadership includes Sheikh Sajjad Gul, designated a terrorist under Indian law.
Since its emergence, TRF has been involved in numerous terror attacks, targeting civilians, security forces, and minorities. These include the June 2024 Reasi bus attack killing nine Hindu pilgrims, the 2024 Sonamarg shooting, and a high-profile ambush in Anantnag in 2023. TRF’s pattern of violence, coupled with Pakistani logistical and intelligence support, has made it a prime concern for India.
Following the Pahalgam massacre, India launched Operation Sindoor, a cross-border strike eliminating over 100 militants. Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile strikes, but a ceasefire was reached by May 10, 2025. India also launched diplomatic outreach to expose Pakistan’s terror networks globally.
The U.S. designation of TRF solidifies international recognition of Pakistan’s involvement in state-sponsored terrorism, reinforcing India’s stance against cross-border terror proxies.
