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US designates LeT proxy TRF as foreign terrorist organisation; India calls move 'timely'

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Washington: The US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a "foreign terrorist organisation" over the Pahalgam terror attack, a move welcomed by India as a "timely and important" step reflecting strong counter-terror cooperation between the two countries.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announcing the punitive measure, said it was part of Washington's commitment to countering terrorism and enforcing President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.

Rubio said the US State Department is adding the TRF as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

The TRF, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) "front and proxy", claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians, he said , adding it was "the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attack conducted by the LeT."

"TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024," Rubio said.

"These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrates the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack," he added.

In New Delhi, India welcomed the decision by the US with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar describing it as a "strong affirmation" of India-US counter-terror cooperation.

India said the designation of TRF is a "timely and important" step and that it has consistently emphasised the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India remains committed to a "policy of zero tolerance" towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organisations and their proxies are held accountable.

"The government of India welcomes the decision of the United States Department of State to designate TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). We acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in this regard," it said.

In a social media post, Jaishankar specially complimented US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for designating the LeT proxy.

"Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack," he said.

The MEA said India welcomes the decision of the US State Department to designate TRF as an FTO and SDGT.

The TRF, a "proxy" of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation LeT, has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the heinous attack on civilians in Pahalgam for which it twice claimed responsibility, the MEA said in its statement.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10.

"India has consistently emphasised the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the dismantling of terror infrastructure," the MEA said in a statement.

It said the designation of TRF is a "timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism." "India remains committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organisations and their proxies are held accountable," it added.

The TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, but later backtracked as tensions soared between India and Pakistan.

India's National Investigation Agency has identified TRF head Sheikh Sajjad Gul as the mastermind of the attack.

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Washington also underlined New Delhi's firm stance against terrorism.

"Another demonstration of strong India-USA counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate the Department of State for listing The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. TRF is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and claimed responsibility for the April 22 terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam," it said.

Pakistan terrorism S Jaishankar Pahalgam The Resistance Front TRF Marco Rubio Pahalgam terror attack