U.S. Declares TRF Terrorist Group After Attack

U.S. Declares TRF Terrorist Group After Pahalgam Attack

Why in the News ?

The United States has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), led by Sheikh Sajjad Gul, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This action follows the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed during a four-day military escalation. India welcomed the move.

About U.S. Action Against TRF:

• The U.S. designated TRF as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
• TRF is known as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and claimed responsibility for the 22 April Pahalgam attack.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio termed the attack the deadliest on civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• The designation reflects the U.S. administration’s commitment to national security and counter-terrorism.
• The decision is part of efforts to enforce justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack and curb youth recruitment by militant proxy groups.

India’s Counter-Terror Diplomacy:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the move, calling it a sign of India-U.S. cooperation on terrorism and intelligence sharing.
• India had launched a global diplomatic campaign post-attack to seek a ban on TRF, leading to significant diplomatic fallout.
• India sent multi-party delegations and a technical team to the UN to present evidence.
• The Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Washington also strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and discussed joint counterterror measures.
• MEA termed the U.S. action as a “timely and important step” in the global fight against terrorism and militant proxy groups.