The United States has formally designated The Resistance Front (TRF) — the group responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people — as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the TRF as a “front and proxy” of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a group already listed as a terrorist organization by both the United Nations and the United States.
India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar hailed the US action as a “strong affirmation” of bilateral cooperation against terrorism.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the designation a “timely and important step” in bolstering the strategic partnership between India and the US.
Analysts view the move as a sign of growing US support for India, especially after recent tensions in bilateral relations, according to dw.com
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert based in Washington, said it could help “rebound” the relationship and send a clear message on terrorism.
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest targeting civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, primarily killed Hindu tourists visiting the popular hill station in Kashmir. The TRF initially claimed responsibility but later retracted the statement amid international condemnation and domestic outrage.
India blamed Pakistan for backing the attackers, a claim Islamabad strongly denied. The incident led to a brief but intense military escalation, including airstrikes, drone operations, and cross-border shelling, before a ceasefire was reached on May 10.
The US decision came a day after speculation that President Trump could visit Pakistan in September, although no official confirmation has been provided by Islamabad.
