Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, openly spoke in support of The Resistance Front (TRF) during a speech in the Pakistani Parliament. Despite global condemnation, Dar defended the group, which the United States recently designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) on 18th July.
TRF is considered a Pakistan-backed terrorist group, known to operate as a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). It has been connected to the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
Pakistan Blocked TRF's Name in UN Statement
Dar disclosed that Pakistan prevented the inclusion of TRF in the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) official statement condemning the Pahalgam terror attack. “We blocked the mention of TRF in the UNSC statement,” he said. “I received calls from global capitals, but Pakistan will not accept it. TRF was removed, and Pakistan’s stance was upheld.
He further claimed that TRF has not been proven guilty of the attack and said, “Show us proof that TRF carried out the Pahalgam attack. Show their admission. We do not accept these accusations.” This statement was made even though TRF had publicly claimed responsibility, and intelligence from both the United States and India confirmed their link to LeT’s network.
United States Designates TRF as a Global Terrorist Organization
In a decisive move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared TRF a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The designation will result in financial sanctions and restrict the group from receiving any support from American individuals or organizations.
"TRF, a front organization for Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians," stated the US State Department. It also noted that TRF had claimed responsibility for multiple attacks against Indian security forces, including several in 2024.
Rubio: Pahalgam Attack Worst Since 2008
Marco Rubio described the Pahalgam attack as the deadliest assault on civilians in India since 2008, emphasizing the grave threat posed by TRF's activities. He said, “This decision shows our commitment to protecting national security and delivering justice to the victims of terrorism.”
India Welcomes US Decision
India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, hailed the US decision as a significant step forward in India-US collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote, “Thank you to Secretary Rubio and the US State Department for declaring TRF—a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy—as an FTO and SDGT. They claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. We maintain zero tolerance for terrorism.”
