Investigation Unit Identifies "The Resistance Front" in Pahalgam Assault, Alleging Links to Lashkar-e-Taiba
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), marking a significant step in global counter-terrorism efforts.
The decision, which was made last week, comes after the US Department of State announced the designation of TRF on July 18, 2025. The move highlights the international community's growing awareness of the threat posed by Pakistan-based terror groups.
The UNSC's 15 members, including the five Permanent members (P 5), each wield veto power. Only one member, believed to be Pakistan, opposed parts of the report, and China did not object.
The designation of TRF by the US government has reinforced its role as an operational front or proxy for the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). This designation represents a step in global counter-terrorism efforts to dismantle terror infrastructure connected to LeT, with India welcoming the US's leadership and cooperation in this matter.
Prior to this formal 2025 designation, TRF was widely understood in Indian and international counter-terrorism analyses to be affiliated with LeT since at least 2019, functioning as a shadow or renamed front group to continue LeT's activities amid international pressure. The 2025 designation by the US concretizes and formalizes this link in official international counter-terrorism frameworks.
The move by the UNSC follows sustained efforts by India, including briefings for like-minded Security Council members and other key UN states, and the submission of detailed inputs on TRF and other Pakistan-sponsored proxies to the MT since December 2023. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) led an inter-ministerial delegation to brief MT members and senior UN officials in New York in May 2024, sharing a dossier on TRF.
The MT report's mention of TRF "shows how the world views Pakistan's lies and deceitful narrative." This outcome demonstrates India's strong counter-terrorism credentials and close cooperation with like-minded countries.
The designation of TRF by the UNSC is particularly significant as it marks the first reference to LeT or other Pakistan-based terror groups in a report since 2019. The inclusion of TRF in the report is a result of the MEA's persistent efforts, following the submission of information twice on TRF-LeT linkages in 2024.
The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, the same day as the attack. The group published a photograph of the attack site. However, on 26 April, TRF retracted its claim and no other group claimed responsibility for the attack.
This designation by the UNSC is a testament to the international community's commitment to combating terrorism and holding accountable those who support and fund such activities. India, as a key player in this global effort, continues to work closely with its allies to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and the world at large.
[1] "US Designates The Resistance Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization." US Department of State. July 18, 2025. [2] "The Resistance Front: A New Frontier for Lashkar-e-Tayyiba?" The Diplomat. August 1, 2025. [3] "The Resistance Front: A Threat to Regional Stability?" The Hindu. August 5, 2025. [4] "India Welcomes US's Leadership in Counter-Terrorism Efforts." Press Trust of India. August 3, 2025.
The UNSC's designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) is a testament to the international community's commitment to combating war-and-conflicts, particularly those instigated by Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). This designation, which follows sustained Indian efforts and the submission of detailed inputs on TRF and other Pakistan-sponsored proxies, reflects the increasing role of politics in counter-terrorism efforts and the general news regarding global security.
