The US Department of State on Thursday designated The Resistance Front (TRF), the group that claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, as a foreign terrorist organisation.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). ”
Rubio acknowledged TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) 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 conducted by LeT,” he said.
TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024.
Rubio said the action taken against the TRF demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to protect national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing the US President’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.
“TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT’s designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register,” the official statement read.
Jaishankar reacts to stance taken against TRF
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar appreciated the stance and wrote on X: “Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack.”
US designates TRF despite authorising funds for Pakistan
Earlier this year, the Trump administration had authorised USD 397 million for Pakistan to maintain its F-16 fighter jet fleet, reported The Economic Times on March 5.
Trump’s position on security aid to Pakistan has seen major reversals. In 2018, during his first term, he halted military assistance to Pakistan, citing inadequate counter-terrorism efforts. The Biden administration later restored support, approving $450 million in September 2022 to sustain Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, the Indian newspaper reported.
BRICS leaders condemn Pahalgam attack
Pakistan has recommended US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize over his “role” during the India-Pak military conflict last month.
Earlier this month, BRICS leaders issued a joint declaration condemning the terror attack in Pahalgam.
The BRICS nations urged to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering it.
Attending the meeting, Indian PM Narendra Modi described the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir as a blow to humanity.
Speaking at the BRICS Summit in Brazil, Modi said: “Terrorism is the most serious challenge facing humanity today. India recently endured a brutal and cowardly terrorist attack.”
“The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22nd April was a direct assault on the soul, identity, and dignity of India. This attack was not just a blow to India but to the entire humanity,” he said.
“In this hour of grief and sorrow, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the friendly countries who stood with us and expressed support and condolences,” he said.
Sending a strong message, Modi said, condemning terrorism must be a matter of principle and not just of convenience.
“If our response depends on where or against whom the attack occurred, it shall be a betrayal of humanity itself,” he said.
At least 26 people, mostly non-Muslims, were killed after gunmen attacked them in Pahalgam during the peak tourism season on April 22.
