New Delhi: India on Friday welcomed the United States verdict to formally nominate a proxy of Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tabiba (LET) as a specially nominated global terrorist (SDGT). The move follows the TRF’s claimed role in the Pahgam terror attack on 22 April, killing 26 civilians.In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (Mea) said, “The Government of India welcomes the United States’ decision to nominate resistance front (TRF) as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and especially as a SDGT (SDGT). Marco Rubio in this regard. ,The MEA stated that TRF is responsible for several terror-activities as a proxy of LAT, including a heinous attack on civilians in Pahgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, claiming responsibility twice. “External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the US decision as “a strong confirmation of Indo-US-US anti-terrorism cooperation”. In a social media post, he said, “TRF-Ek Lashkar-e-Tayiba (late) appreciate @Secrubio and @Statedept to nominate proxy-as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and specially designated global terrorist (SDGT). Zero tolerance for terrorism. ,According to the US State Department, the Pahgam attack was the most deadly attack on citizens in India since the 2008 Mumbai attack. ” The department said that TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, which recently included in 2024 “.“This action taken by the state department shows the commitment of the Trump administration to protect our national security interests, combat terrorism and implement President Trump for justice for the Pahgam attack of President Trump,” US State Secretary Marco Rubio said in a statement. “He further said, “TRF and other affiliated surnames have been added to the designation as an FTO and SDGT for Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224 respectively.The Embassy of India in Washington also released a statement, in which the move was called “another performance of Strong India-USA counter-elevated cooperation”. It said, “TRF is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayiba and claimed responsibility for the April 22 terrorist attack on citizens in Pahgam. Zero tolerance for terrorism!”
