Latest news with #SDGT
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
'When you butcher civilians... you get justice': US House foreign affairs panel on TRF terror tag
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has welcomed the designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a global terrorist group, following its involvement in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. read more The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has strongly backed the designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a global terrorist group, following its role in the recent deadly attack in Pahalgam, in which the group's terrorists killed 26 innocent people, mostly tourists. The committee said the move delivers a clear message saying, 'those responsible for the massacre of civilians will be held accountable'. Last week, the US officially labelled TRF as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'President Trump calls it like it is. The Resistance Front is a foreign terrorist organisation and deserves the designation,' the Committee, chaired by Representative Brian Mast, said in a post on X. 'When you butcher civilians, you don't get a pass—you get justice. It was a terrorist attack—simple and straightforward,' the panel said. The Committee also criticised The New York Times over its April 22 headline on the Pahalgam massacre, which described the attackers as 'militants.' Taking issue with the terminology, the Committee reposted the article with 'militants' crossed out and replaced by 'terrorists' in bold red letters, calling the NYT's language 'removed from reality.' Pakistan has long used groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed as part of its so-called policy of 'bleeding India with a thousand cuts,' since it cannot win a direct war against India. These groups are trained and funded by the Pakistani state. In recent years, to avoid international sanctions, groups like LeT have created proxy outfits such as TRF to carry out terror attacks inside India.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
US House Committee backs terror group tag for TRF over Pahalgam attack
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has strongly backed the designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a global terrorist organisation over its role in the April 22 Pahalgam attack. The committee said those who 'butcher civilians' should not be spared but face justice. 'President Trump calls it like it is. The Resistance Front is a foreign terrorist organisation and deserves the designation,' the committee, chaired by Representative Brian Mast, said in a post on X. 'When you butcher civilians, you don't get a pass, you get justice. It was a terrorist attack, simple and straightforward,' it added. The House Committee also cited its earlier post dated April 22, in which it criticised a New York Times headline on the Pahalgam incident: 'At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir.' In its response, the Committee had posted a screenshot of the article with the word 'militants' crossed out and replaced with 'terrorists' in bold red letters. 'Hey, @nytimes, we fixed it for you,' the post on X had read. 'This was a terrorist attack, plain and simple. Whether it's India or Israel, when it comes to terrorism, the NYT is removed from reality.' TRF designated FTO, SDGT by US State Dept Last week, the US Department of State designated TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). In an official statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the action reflected Washington's resolve to uphold President Trump's call for justice over the Pahalgam killings. India welcomes US move on TRF designation India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed the US decision, calling it a reaffirmation of the India-US partnership in counter-terrorism efforts. In a post on X, he thanked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department for recognising TRF as a terrorist group. The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir, left 26 civilians dead and sparked widespread outrage across India. TRF had initially claimed responsibility for the killings but later retracted its statement amid growing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Weeks Before Crackdown On TRF, India's Vikram Misri Provided Dossier To US & UN Teams
Last Updated: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri presented irrefutable evidence tracing TRF's command structure and operational ties to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan's intelligence services In the wake of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, India escalated its diplomatic offensive against cross-border terrorism, pointing the global spotlight on an increasingly dangerous proxy group: The Resistance Front (TRF). The attack, one of the worst in recent years, left 26 civilians dead and reignited concerns about Pakistan-backed insurgent networks operating under new guises. Less than a month later, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri personally spearheaded the delivery of a well-documented dossier to both the United States State Department and the UN Security Council's 1267 Sanctions Committee, presenting irrefutable evidence tracing TRF's command structure and operational ties to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistan's intelligence services. According to Hindustan Times, Misri, during his official visit to Washington DC from May 27 to May 29, submitted the dossier in a bid to build international consensus for designating TRF as a global terror group. The same documents were also shared with United Nations officials, asking for Sheikh Sajjad Gul—the elusive TRF leader and long-time LeT operative—to be listed under the UN's terror sanctions regime. The response from the United States was both swift and resolute. Four days before the formal notification on Thursday, India was informed of the TRF designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity. As Business Standard reported, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited recent attacks—most notably the Pahalgam massacre—as key reasons behind the designation. He underscored Washington's commitment to holding such actors accountable and to pursuing justice for victims of terrorism around the world. Back in India, the move was welcomed as a major diplomatic win. The Ministry of External Affairs described the designation as 'timely and important", and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lauded the step as a 'strong message" from the US against terrorism. The Indian government emphasised that the international community must adopt a 'zero tolerance" approach when it comes to dealing with terrorism, especially when state complicity is involved, as in the case of Pakistan. The TRF came into prominence in 2019, following the revocation of Article 370, and has often been projected as a 'homegrown" insurgent group. However, extensive investigations by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) debunk that narrative. According to The Economic Times, NIA's findings show that TRF has been functioning as a digital-first extension of LeT under the covert direction of Pakistani handlers. Online communication cells facilitated planning and coordination with militants in Kashmir while being operated remotely from Pakistan. The dossier presented by India reportedly includes evidence linking Sheikh Sajjad Gul not just to multiple terror attacks, but also to a broader effort led by LeT to fragment its identity and create newer, India-centric aliases like TRF. As per Business Standard, Gul was once imprisoned in India but managed to cross over to Pakistan, where he leveraged LeT's infrastructure and patronage to organise TRF under the guidance of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Despite Pakistan's denials, digital forensic evidence and cross-border communications logs included in the dossier indicate direct coordination between TRF's online operations and LeT's hierarchy in Rawalpindi. In the broader context, India's urgent and multi-pronged diplomacy—via direct evidence, global alliances, and sustained pressure—reflects a maturing counterterrorism strategy. Rather than merely condemning attacks, New Delhi is pushing for institutional accountability and international action. The TRF's designation marks a step forward in isolating not just the foot soldiers of terror, but the infrastructure and ideologues that incubate them. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"When I Asked People Bluntly...": Shashi Tharoor On US-Pak Cooperation
New Delhi: In the wake of the United States' designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has offered insight into the behind-the-scenes diplomatic exchanges that preceded the announcement. Taking to social media platform X, Mr Tharoor welcomed the US move but said it was long overdue. The TRF, a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility for the 22 April 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that left 26 dead, marking the deadliest assault on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. In his post, Mr Tharoor revealed that during his private meetings with US officials in Washington earlier this year, he directly questioned America's reluctance to hold Pakistan accountable for harbouring terror groups. "In my private conversations in Washington, when I asked people bluntly why the US were still allowing Pakistan to get away with providing a safe haven to terrorist organisations, I was pointed to Pakistan's alleged cooperation with the US on counter-terror operations, notably the recent surrender of the individual allegedly responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing that had killed 23 US marines at Kabul airport," Mr Tharoor wrote. The reference is to the August 2021 suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport's Abbey Gate in Kabul, during the US troop withdrawal, a strike later claimed by ISIS. The Taliban had reportedly handed over the suspect earlier this year. 2/3 In my private conversations in Washington, when I asked people bluntly why the US were still allowing Pakistan to get away with providing a safe haven to terrorist organisations, I was pointed to Pakistan's alleged cooperation with the US on counter-terror operations, notably… — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 19, 2025 "Our scepticism about the quality & sincerity of Pakistani actions against terrorism reflects our own experience with those terror agencies that are directed against us, rather than those that the US deems hostile, such as ISIS-Khorasan. This is a step towards bridging the gap in perceptions between the US and us on this. It will help in our efforts to list TRF at the @UN as well," Mr Tharoor added. India welcomed the move in a formal statement, describing it as "a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a separate post on X, wrote: "A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF-a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy-as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for terrorism. #OpSindoor." The Ministry added that India remains committed to a "zero tolerance" policy towards terrorism and will continue to pursue accountability for groups and proxies operating from across the border.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
What China said on Pahalgam attack after US slapped ‘designated terror organisation' tag on LeT proxy TRF
China has denounced the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and stressed the need for stronger regional collaboration to tackle terrorism and maintain stability. Following the US designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian praised Washington's move, acknowledging its role in curbing terrorist threats. Chinese President Xi Jinping waves to spectators as he leaves after a military parade on Victory Day.(REUTERS file) When asked about the US State Department's move, Lin said China condemns all forms of terrorism. "China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22. China calls on regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability," he said. Also Read | How Pakistan reacted as US lists Lashkar proxy TRF as terrorist organisation for Pahalgam attack In a statement, US secretary of state Marco Rubio acknowledged the fact that the organisation claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The US, therefore, accorded the TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). "Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024," the statement read. The statement said this action demonstrated the US President Donald Trump administration's commitment to countering terrorism. "These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrate 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," the statement said. "TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT's designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register," the statement added. What Pakistan said Pakistan has claimed that it "dismantled" the terrorist network and any effort to link the Pahalgam terror attack with the defunct LeT was against the reality. "Pakistan has effectively and comprehensively dismantled concerned outfits, arrested and prosecuted the leadership, and deradicalised its cadres,' the foreign office statement said in a statement. Stating that the investigation into the Pahalgam attack is "still inconclusive," it said, "any linkage with LeT, a defunct organisation banned in Pakistan, belies ground realities". The statement said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, has zero tolerance against terrorism, and it is the cornerstone of its policy to cooperate internationally against terrorism. The TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, but later backtracked as tensions soared between India and Pakistan.
