Investigative unit identifies "The Resistance Front" as suspect in Pahalgam assault, attributing connections to Lashkar-e-Taiba organization
Breaking News: United Nations Security Council Report Names The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Terrorist Group
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has released a report that names The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organization, marking a significant development in the international community's stance against Pakistan-based terror groups.
The TRF, an Islamist terrorist group primarily active in Jammu and Kashmir, has been recognized as an offshoot or proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) since its emergence in 2019. According to the report, the TRF has been involved in recruiting militants, planning attacks on security forces and civilians, smuggling weapons and narcotics, and cross-border infiltration.
The report states that one Member State said the attack could not have happened without TRF support, and that TRF and the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TRF) were linked. This is the first time TRF has been named in an MT report.
India's strong counter-terrorism credentials and close cooperation with like-minded countries are demonstrated by this outcome. The Indian government has long maintained that TRF is a front for LeT, a claim that has now been recognized by the UNSC.
In a significant move, the United States designated TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group in July 2025, following the deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. India had declared TRF a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2023.
However, the UNSC did not explicitly name TRF in its statement condemning the Pahalgam attack. Following the attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as a direct response attributed to TRF's activity.
Pakistan's leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, have referred to TRF militants as "freedom fighters," which has exacerbated regional tensions. Pakistan has been identified as a key exporter of terrorism.
The inclusion of TRF in the MT report marks the first reference to LeT or other Pakistan-based terror groups in a report since 2019. This development is seen as a relief for New Delhi, as China did not object to parts of the report.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has provided detailed inputs on TRF and other Pakistan-sponsored proxies to the MT since December 2023. In 2024, the MEA submitted information twice on TRF-LeT linkages. The international community's awareness of the threat from Pakistan-based groups has been emphasized.
India welcomed this decision by the United States, and separate briefings were held for like-minded Security Council members and other key UN states, with sustained follow up by Indian missions abroad and parliamentary delegations raising TRF's role. However, it is worth noting that one member, believed to be Pakistan, opposed parts of the MT report.
The MT report's mention of TRF "shows how the world views Pakistan's lies and deceitful narrative," according to Indian sources. The international community's increased scrutiny of Pakistan's actions is a significant step towards combating terrorism in the region.
References:
- NDTV
- The Hindu
- The Economic Times
- The Times of India
The UNSC's recognition of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organization indicates a shift in the international community's focus on war-and-conflicts, particularly involving Pakistan-based terror groups like TRF, and crime-and-justice issues. Politics surrounding these developments have become increasingly complex, with the general news landscape reflecting heightened tensions between countries, notably India and Pakistan.
