Latest news with #TRF
Deccan Herald
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
TRF's terror tag bolsters India's case
The designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a global terrorist organisation by the United States is a victory for India and a vindication of New Delhi's position on cross-border terrorism. It is significant in view of India's contention that the organisation was behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack. .TRF twice claimed responsibility for the attack though it later denied involvement, probably under pressure from its handlers across the border. India has mounted persistent diplomatic pressure on the US and other countries to recognise the existence of the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan which is directed against India. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that TRF had claimed responsibility also for other attacks, against Indian security forces. But it will be noted that Rubio did not name Pakistan, where the LeT is US has described TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a front for the LeT. The LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad have been marked for involvement in terrorist activities directed against India. Both organisations have been in the US FTO list from 2001. Pakistan has denied their existence while India has contended that both are active in that country. .India should continue its efforts to get TRF named as a terrorist outfit in the UN Security Council records. The UNSC resolution on the Pahalgam attack avoided mentioning TRF, under Pakistan's and China's pressure. The US designation will hopefully make the process easier, though Pakistan and China will continue to oppose it. The Ministry of External Affairs has welcomed the US decision and noted that it reflects the cooperation between India and the US on counter-terrorism. Earlier this year, the US had extradited Tahawwur Rana who was part of the conspiracy behind the 2008 Mumbai the US may have sent a positive signal to India with its stance on TRF, its position is not without contradictions. It has not fully accepted India's position on the Pahalgam attack and Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism in the country. Washington has played host to Pakistan's army and air force chiefs in recent weeks and sought to equate Pakistan with India. .The US and most other countries have the tendency to look at terrorism through the prism of their national interest and geopolitical considerations. India will have to initiate stronger diplomatic efforts to make its case fully heard and accepted. It will also not go unnoticed that the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack are yet to be arrested.
NDTV
18 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
Trump, India, Pahalgam: When Terrorists Are Easier To Deal With Than Tariffs
Weeks after the Indian media engaged in a shrill diatribe against US President Donald Trump for claiming that he had ended the escalation between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the public sentiment against the US seems to be softening, thanks to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing that the State Department is going to designate the Terrorist Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organisation, with a specific reference to the Pahalgam attack. That's a handshake of no mean order, especially after a series of western 'analysts' had desired 'proof' of the outfit's involvement in the attack. All this, of course, occurs in parallel with Trump apparently threatening a 100% secondary tariff on anyone who trades with Russia. But hold on. That is a reference to a proposed legislation supported by both political parties, which demands that 500% tariffs be levied on states trading with Russia - India included. So, the 'tariff man' is being outpaced by his own Congress. Things are not always what they seem. TRF Gets A Handle First, the designation of the TRF as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' has been welcomed by Foreign Minister Jaishankar as a "strong affirmation of Indo-US Counter terrorism cooperation", as indeed it is. Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had stated that India's efforts at the United Nations to get a similar listing had been blocked by Pakistan, and even a reference to it removed from a press statement by the Security Council on Pahalgam. So, the US move is not something to be set aside lightly. The TRF is an interesting entity. It announced its presence on encrypted platform Telegram after the abrogation of Article 370 and when the Lashkar-e-Taiba took a back seat due to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The TRF's name and imagery seems carefully chosen to avoid any "radical" religious flavour, as also to position itself as indigenous. But a series of attacks it has claimed, including against Makhan Lal Bindroo, a popular owner of a medical shop, as well as those against Sikh and Hindu schoolteachers, were clearly aimed at creating communal tensions. The outfit also threatened journalists and released 'lists' of those it was prepared to kill. Notably, the TRF was the first terrorist group to launch a twin drone attack, on the Jammu air base in 2021. In the Pahalgam incident, the group again claimed the attack on Telegram but back-tracked three days later as it became apparent that India was on the warpath and that the UN was getting ready to release a resolution. Unlike the LeT, the leadership of the TRF is diffused back in Pakistan, and their 'assets' are unknown. But their leaders in Pakistan have known and long-time Lashkar affiliations. One of them, Abu Qatal, who was shot in March this year in Jhelum, uses the same infiltration routes and is part of the United Jihad Council. So, if it walks, talks and looks like the LeT, it should be the LeT. The designation there is uncomfortable business for Rawalpindi - the now-famous 'lunch' of Field Marshal Asim Munir with Trump notwithstanding. Working Groups Are Working Hard Now consider this. Just days earlier, on July 16, the Wavelength Forum held in New Delhi brought together Quad partners to strengthen subsea cable connectivity and resilience across the Indo-Pacific region. Organised under the US State Department's 'CABLES' programme, it highlighted the critical role of subsea cables in supporting the global digital economy and the importance of using trusted vendors for construction, maintenance, and repair. That underlined India's growing importance as a digital hub accounting for some 20% of global internet traffic, and the common concerns of members. This delivered on the Quad foreign ministers' joint statement, which itself was short and crisp, unlike the usual long-winded and fuzzy documents earlier. It announced the first Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise, and a Quad Ports of the Future Partnership in the works. Separately, a read-out of the meeting between Foreign Minister Jaishankar and Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth was rich in content, noting 'dangers of aggression in the 'Asia Pacific' (a rather surprising nomenclature). Coming up is the signing of the next 10 Year Defense Framework, and progress on advanced technology policy reviews, which will take forward the landmark INDUS-X which has brought together innovators to US shores, as well as the launch of the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), where our own innovators are racing ahead. Earlier, even as Operation Sindoor was unfolding, the Quad was holding a tabletop logistic exercise in Hawaii, while a joint working group on Aircraft Carrier Technology cooperation was held in May even as the operations wound down. In sum, there are more areas of cooperation that can be listed easily. And that's an ongoing process, set in place years ago, with the US administration showing every inclination to push all of this harder and faster. That Public Glitch Now consider the brouhaha on tariffs, which are announced with much fanfare even as a trade deal is being hinted at. That is not going to be easy as Trump wants access to agriculture, a sensitive area of Indian politicians and a huge voter base. True also that a bill sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham, widely credited with urging a change of heart to Pakistan under Imran Khan, has sponsored a bill calling for the President to "increase the rate of duty on all goods and services imported into the United States from countries that knowingly engage in the exchange of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products to at least 500% relative to the value of such goods and services; that's the Trump administration's effort to get Russia to stop a wasteful and vicious war". In Sum... Much can be said about this pointless arm-twisting of countries like India, which did not start the war and have their own populations to think of in terms of inflation from rising oil prices. But the point is, relations between countries are not one composite whole. One may differ violently with one issue even while cooperating closely on another. True, with the Trump administration, there is a deliberate public confrontation in policy, but bureaucracies work quietly behind the scenes on sorting out issues with a country that is otherwise a 'Major Defence Partner', which for the first time, is becoming a two-way street. In other words, it is profitable for US companies to work here in this and other fields. It's a slow journey, but it's got to a place where a certain velocity has been achieved. After all, this is a path undertaken since at least George W Bush's days. The dangers of Trump linking trade with almost everything else persists - like pushing Apple to set up shop elsewhere - but the core relationship is in place. That, in turn, is based on one unchanging principle of US policy; which is never to allow another country to overtake it. As China grows in absolute terms, that is one fundamental that will determine relations with India. The danger is that there are also those in Washington who see India as growing too fast for comfort. US bureaucracy would ideally like all 'partners' to just roll over and play dead. Delhi is hardly in that league, and is a hitch that needs careful manoeuvring. Think of a certain 'warming' of relations with China recently. It's a dangerous game, but it seems the present dispensation seems confident. There are squalls ahead. Meanwhile, prepare to open all sluices as the Quad summit comes up.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Designating TRF as a terrorist group is welcome, but US has a tendency to play both sides
Asim Munir's recent visit to Washington reaffirmed Pakistan's alignment with US strategic interests. Publicly endorsed by CENTCOM chief General Kurilla as a 'phenomenal partner,' Pakistan continues to position itself as a counterterrorism ally, despite its longstanding use of militant groups as foreign policy tools. These developments underscore the transactional nature of the US-Pakistan relationship, where tactical alignment often overshadows long-term strategic divergence. For India, this highlights the need for vigilance and independence in dealing with regional security issues, particularly as Washington continues to balance its ties with both Islamabad and New Delhi. India's approach must be practical, based on realism, and free from the historical baggage that hinders progress. The recent designation of The Resistance Forum (TRF), a rebranded offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a global terror organisation by the US represents more than just a counter-terrorism action. It sends a strategic message that connects with broader regional dynamics and internal shifts within Pakistan. The US has long utilised terror designations, military aid, and economic pressure as tools of influence. The timing of the TRF's listing — during backchannel meetings, changing alliances, and defence cooperation talks — should not be seen as coincidental. Pakistan, under the informal control of the powerful military establishment led by Munir, remains a central player in this situation. Reports that Munir may be preparing for a transition from military to civilian leadership — possibly as the country's next president — add a new layer of complexity. The Pakistani Army has always played a dual role, exerting de facto political power while maintaining the appearance of democratic governance. If Munir does become president, it would formalise what has long been an open secret: Pakistan is a state run by its generals, not its elected officials. Munir's current influence, untethered by public accountability, distorts Pakistan's already fragile democratic structure. His management of both foreign and domestic policy blurs the line between governance and military strategy. Recent high-level meetings involving Munir and the Chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), coinciding with the TRF's terror designation, raise questions about the legitimacy and goals of these interactions. The backdrop to these engagements is likely Pakistan's urgent military needs. Indian punitive strikes during Operation Sindoor caused significant damage to key Pakistani airbases at Nur Khan and Sargodha, amongst others, requiring repairs and replacements. The PAF is reportedly seeking spare parts for its F-16 fleet — a need that cannot be met without US cooperation. It appears that the Pakistani government is quietly collaborating with Washington to secure this support without resorting to IMF or World Bank funds, thereby avoiding scrutiny of military spending amid economic instability. This implicit understanding between the US and Pakistan reflects an evolving relationship. Washington no longer views Islamabad solely through the lens of the Afghan conflict but instead as a flexible partner, willing to meet demands in exchange for support. The days of aid in exchange for loyalty are gone — now, cooperation is transactional, and Pakistan's leadership appears more than eager to cooperate. For India, this situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The shifting alignment of US interests — sometimes favouring Pakistan, at other times leaning toward India — requires a clear and focused response. American support for Indian security remains strong, but it is not without conditions. Washington will prioritise its national interests above all, even if that means playing both sides in South Asia. Whether it's counterterrorism cooperation, arms sales, or trade negotiations, New Delhi must assert its independence with Washington. American tariffs and weapons deals serve as tools of influence, often used to sway policy decisions or gain concessions. India's autonomy is crucial in these interactions, and it must remain focused on its national interests and avoid being manipulated into a state of dependency. Meanwhile, new alignments are starting to form. Russia and China are showing renewed interest in strengthening the Russia-India-China (RIC) alliance. Although this trilateral framework lacks the strength of NATO or QUAD, it serves as an essential counterbalance to Western influence. India should explore this space, not out of unquestioning loyalty, but to prevent undue pressure from any single power bloc. The re-emergence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, three decades after being ousted, and the US's ongoing operational presence in the region (including leasing airbases and printing Afghan currency) indicate a long-term American interest in Central and South Asia. These actions are not driven by altruism — they are part of a calculated strategy to maintain influence in one of the world's most volatile regions. India must recognise that it is being watched, evaluated, and targeted by global powers who see it as both a partner and a pawn. In this environment, the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) gain renewed relevance. Not the NAM of the Cold War era, but a reimagined model — one that is pragmatic, flexible, and focused on issue-based cooperation rather than ideological loyalty. To navigate this complexity, India must also look inward. There is an urgent need to engage its neighbours, not as subordinates, but as equal stakeholders. The Subcontinent cannot afford to be shackled by its past. While historical wrongs and unresolved disputes persist, they must not define the future. The policy of strategic patience must be replaced with a strategic approach to problem-solving, one that values and promotes regional cooperation. This means reevaluating relationships with nations such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and even Pakistan. It involves restarting stalled dialogues, not to compromise sovereignty or national security, but to build a regional consensus that benefits India. Assertiveness must be balanced with diplomacy, and power must be tempered by responsibility. India's path forward should be neither isolationist nor interventionist — it should be independent. We must assert our narrative, unfiltered by Western media, unpressured by superpower coercion, and unfazed by regional provocations. The TRF listing, the whispers of a presidential coup in Pakistan, and the transactional nature of US foreign policy are all reminders that the game is on. We must shed the weight of the past. We cannot undo Partition. We cannot undo wars. But we can choose how we move forward. Let history be a lesson, not a leash. Let us walk forward — eyes open, feet grounded, and purpose clear. The writer is a lieutenant colonel, former Armoured Corps officer, defence analyst and strategic thinker
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar supports Pahalgam attacker TRF, questions where is the proof of Kashmir attack
On 18 July, the United States officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The announcement was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following a series of attacks the group has been linked to, including the brutal assault in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. Just a day later, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar delivered a pointed speech in Parliament, rejecting the accusations against TRF. Speaking about the UN Security Council's statement on the Pahalgam attack , he revealed that Pakistan had used its diplomatic position to keep TRF's name out of the official condemnation. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Project Management Operations Management Data Science Management Digital Marketing MBA Leadership Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics MCA Design Thinking Cybersecurity Data Science Public Policy healthcare CXO PGDM Technology Finance others Product Management Degree Others Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details 'We opposed the mention of TRF in the UNSC statement. I got calls from global capitals, but Pakistan will not accept,' Dar said. 'TRF was deleted, and Pakistan prevailed.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo — OsintTV (@OsintTV) He went further: 'We don't consider TRF illegal. Show us proof they carried out the Pahalgam attack. Show ownership by TRF. We won't accept the allegation, and TRF had to be deleted from the UN press release.' A separate video clip from April, now resurfacing, shows Dar making similar remarks. 'Alhamdulillah, we are a non-permanent member of the UNSC. We don't consider TRF illegal. Show the evidence that TRF carried out the Pahalgam attack or prove its ownership. We will not accept these claims, TRF had to be deleted from the UN press release,' he can be heard saying. Live Events 'TRF, a Lashkar-e-Taiba front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians,' the US State Department said in a statement. It further noted, 'TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024.' Rubio described the Pahalgam killings as 'the deadliest assault on civilians in India since 2008' and added, 'These actions demonstrate the Trump administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests and seeking justice for victims of terrorism.' With the designation, TRF will now face US-led financial sanctions and its ability to draw support from individuals and entities under American jurisdiction will be restricted. Jaishankar welcomes US decision India responded swiftly to the US move. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the decision a strong signal of India-US cooperation on security issues. 'Appreciate SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for terrorism,' Jaishankar posted on X. — DrSJaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) The Pahalgam massacre: What happened The Pahalgam terror attack took place on 22 April and left 26 civilians dead. Most of the victims were Hindus. Survivors recalled that the gunmen separated the women and children, then ordered the men to recite the Islamic declaration of faith. Many were killed on the spot. The assault was one of the most severe in recent years and ignited a wave of violence across the region. Over the next four days, escalating clashes along the Line of Control resulted in over 70 reported deaths. It was the worst standoff between Indian and Pakistani forces since the Kargil conflict in 1999. TRF initially claimed responsibility for the attack in a post that was later deleted. Despite that, both India and the United States have cited intelligence linking TRF to the Lashkar-e-Taiba network, a UN-designated terrorist group operating out of Pakistan. India continues to view TRF as a terror group operating under the umbrella of Lashkar-e-Taiba. New Delhi has consistently maintained that Pakistan backs such outfits as proxies to destabilise Kashmir and carry out cross-border attacks. Pakistan, however, refuses to acknowledge TRF's involvement. Ishaq Dar's statements in Parliament reflect Islamabad's hardened stance, even in the face of international pressure and mounting evidence. The contrasting reactions from India and Pakistan underscore the larger diplomatic battle now unfolding. On one side, the US and India are aligning on counter-terrorism. On the other, Pakistan is digging in its heels, rejecting any claims that tie TRF to the Pahalgam attack or to its soil. The fallout from this will likely be felt beyond Kashmir. As global scrutiny grows, so will the pressure on Pakistan to explain its position.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'You Don't Get A Pass, You Get Justice': US House Foreign Affairs Panel Hails TRF Terror Tag
Last Updated: The panel also reiterated its criticism of global media coverage of the Pahalgam attack, accusing outlets of downplaying what it called a clear act of terrorism The US Republican Majority on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs has welcomed the designation of Pakistan-based The Resistance Front (TRF) as a global terrorist outfit. The group, which the US designated as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) in its announcement, was labelled both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). 'The Resistance Front is a foreign terrorist organization and deserves the designation," the committee's official X handle posted. 'When you butcher civilians, you don't get a pass—you get JUSTICE." President Trump calls it like it is. The Resistance Front is a foreign terrorist organization and deserves the you butcher civilians, you don't get a pass—you get JUSTICE. — House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) July 19, 2025 The announcement was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, less than three months after the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where TRF claimed responsibility for the killing of 26 civilians. It was one of the deadliest attacks targeting civilians in the region in recent years. The Resistance Front first emerged in Kashmir in 2019, shortly after the abrogation of Article 370. It was widely seen as an attempt by Lashkar-e-Tayyiba to rebrand its operations under a new name to avoid global scrutiny. Since then, TRF has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, many of which have targeted off-duty security personnel, civilians from outside the region, and minority communities. The FTO and SDGT designations trigger sweeping measures including financial sanctions, asset freezes, visa bans, and criminal penalties for those providing any form of material support to the group. TRF, the State Department noted, serves as a front for LeT, an internationally proscribed terror group, and operates to obscure the latter's direct involvement in attacks. Indian authorities have repeatedly raised concerns over such proxy outfits being used to bypass global sanctions. On July 19, the committee also cited its earlier post from April 23, in which it had criticised international media coverage of the Pahalgam attack — particularly a New York Times headline that read: 'At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir." At the time, the committee had responded with a corrected graphic, replacing the word 'militants" with 'terrorists" in bold red, writing: 'Hey, @nytimes, we fixed it for you. 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." Reposting that on July 19, the committee reaffirmed: 'It was a terrorist attack — simple and straightforward." It was a terrorist attack—simple and straightforward. — House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) July 19, 2025 The House Foreign Affairs Committee is a permanent committee in the US House of Representatives. It handles bills and investigations related to America's foreign relations. The latest US action is expected to bolster international scrutiny of Pakistan-based terror proxies, particularly at forums like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), where the country's counterterror commitments remain under watch. India welcomed the US decision, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar describing it as a 'strong affirmation" of India-US counter-terror 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," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 21, 2025, 12:46 IST News world 'You Don't Get A Pass, You Get Justice': US House Foreign Affairs Panel Hails TRF Terror Tag 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.
