US Declares Pahalagam Terror Perpetrator TRF a Foreign Terrorist Group

The United States State Department (Foreign Ministry) has designated the perpetrator of the Pahalgam attack, The Resistance Front (TRF), as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. 

This was announced by the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C, on 17 July (18 July in India) 2025.

The TRF initially claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Pahalagam in South Kashmir on 22 April 2025, in which 25 Indian and one Nepali tourist were killed. The TRF later denied its role after global condemnation of the terror incident.

The terrorist attack led to the launch of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces on 6/7 May 2025 that targeted terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan.

Implications of the US Move 

The move of the United States government has both legal and political implications.

Legal implications

• The assets of the TRF in the United States will be frozen, and they will be unable to use them.
• Members of the TRF will not be allowed to enter the United States and will be deported from the country.
• It will be illegal for an American individual or institution to facilitate or provide support to the group.

Political impact 

• It will stigmatise and isolate the designated terrorist organisations internationally.
• It gives a signal to the world and the United States allies that they should take steps to isolate designated terrorist organisations internationally.
• Stop money from reaching these terrorist groups; deter donations or contributions to, and economic transactions with, named organisations.
• Raise public awareness about these groups and stigmatise the government supporting these terrorist groups.

Benefit to India 

• It is seen as a success of Indian diplomacy as it vindicates the Indian charge that Pakistani-based groups were behind the Pahalgam attack.
• It will put pressure on Pakistan to take action against the terror group.
• India is trying to put Pakistan on the FATF(Financial Action Task Force) grey/black list for its support to terror groups. 
• This step by the United States will strengthen India’s case in the FATF. If India succeeds in the FATF, it will deal a significant blow to the Pakistani economy, which is already in deep trouble. 

About The Resistance Front (TRF)

The Resistance Front (TRF) is a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was involved in the Mumbai terror attack of 26 November 2008. 

The TRF was formed in 2019 following the central government's abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and the abolition of Article 370.

The Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) of the Pakistani Army projects TRF as a Kashmiri-based and Kashmiri-operated group, but in reality, it's based in Muridke, Pakistan.

Muhammad Abbas Sheikh and Basit Ahmed Dar founded the TRF. They both are dead, but the Supreme Commander, Sheikh Sajjad Gul, is active in Pakistan.

The group is involved in attacks on civilians, especially non-Muslims and security forces in Kashmir.

According to the Indian security agencies, it frequently employs Pakistan Army’s former commandos of the SSG, like Hashim Musa, for terror attacks in Kashmir.

The Union Home Ministry banned the TRF on January 5, 2023, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as a terrorist organisation.

Also Read: 

Global Anti-Terror Financing Body FATF Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack