The United States has designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This move comes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation, calling TRF a "front and proxy" of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-backed terror group already designated by the UN. Rubio stated that this action demonstrates the U.S. commitment to counterterrorism and to enforce President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack. The U.S. State Department's statement echoed India's viewpoint that TRF is a front for LeT.

India has welcomed the U.S. decision, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar calling it a "strong affirmation" of India-US counterterrorism cooperation. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the designation of TRF is a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism.

Security experts believe that TRF was formed after the Indian government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019 and reorganized Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. TRF is seen as a rebranding effort by LeT to evade scrutiny from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and international bans. Despite Pakistan's claims that TRF is a homegrown insurgency, the outfit relies on LeT's logistical, financial, and operational support, with its leadership, training bases, and safe houses located in Pakistan.

TRF has been involved in several high-profile terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides the Pahalgam attack, these include the June 2024 Reasi bus attack on Hindu pilgrims, which killed nine people, and the October 2024 killing of six migrant workers in Ganderbal. The organization's leadership includes Sheikh Sajjad Gul, the supreme commander, Muhammad Abbas Sheikh (deceased founder), Basit Ahmed Dar (former chief operational commander, deceased), and Ahmed Khalid, the spokesperson.

The U.S. designation of TRF is expected to have an impact on the UN Security Council, particularly concerning sanctions against terrorist groups. After the Pahalgam attack, the UNSC issued a statement condemning the attack, but references to TRF and LeT were removed following objections from Pakistan and China. China has called for stronger regional anti-terror cooperation in response to the U.S. designation.

Pakistan has denied the existence of TRF. Pakistan insists that investigations into the Pahalgam incident are inconclusive and that any linkage with LeT belies ground realities. Despite these denials, the U.S. move is seen as a significant step in exposing Pakistan's terror playbook and holding it accountable for supporting terrorist groups.