US Labels Group Behind Pahalgam Attack as Terrorist Organization
Washington: The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based militant group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This action follows TRF’s involvement in the April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives, primarily tourists, in one of the deadliest assaults in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The US Department of State, in a statement issued on Thursday, announced the designations under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the move reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to countering terrorism and seeking justice for the Pahalgam victims. “TRF, a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack, targeting civilians in a brutal act of violence,” Rubio stated.
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) identified Sheikh Sajjad Gul as the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack, which took place in the scenic Baisaran Valley. TRF initially claimed responsibility but later retracted its statement amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The attack, described as a joint operation by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and LeT, was executed by Pakistani terrorists led by Sulaiman, a suspected former special forces commando trained at LeT’s Muridke facility.
ALSO READ : Eyewitness Reveals Terrorists Fired in Celebration After Killing 26 Civilians in Pahalgam Attack
India welcomed the US designation, with the Indian Embassy in the US expressing appreciation on X for the Department of State’s action. The move strengthens India-US counterterrorism cooperation, reinforcing efforts to dismantle terror networks. The United Nations Security Council also condemned the attack, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noting its intent to disrupt Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism economy and sow religious discord.
The designation imposes stringent sanctions, including financial and immigration restrictions, on TRF and its affiliates, further isolating the group and its LeT backers. The US reaffirmed its support for India’s fight against terrorism, aligning with global calls for accountability following the Pahalgam massacre.