Pakistan rattles as US designates TRF terror group, pins blame on 'Indian propaganda'
PTC News Desk: Pakistan on Friday rattled after the United States designated The Resistance Force (TRF) a terrorist organisation deeming it to be a shadow group of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, while pinning the blame on India and raking up the Kashmir issue.
The United States' designation comes weeks after the terror group claimed responsibility of the deadly Pahalgam massacre which claimed 26 lives. The US officials have described it as the deadliest strikes targeting civilians in India since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks perpetrated by the Lashkar group.
Islamabad, however, dismissed any link between the Pahalgam attack and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which it claimed is a "defunct organisation banned in Pakistan."
In a statement, it said, "Pakistan has effectively and comprehensively dismantled concerned outfits, arrested and prosecuted the leadership, and deradicalised its cadres."
In a predictable response, Pakistan referred to itself as a “frontline state in the fight against terrorism,” asserting that it had made significant contributions to global peace through its counter-terrorism efforts.
The statement also dismissed India’s evidence-backed claim implicating Lashkar-e-Taiba in the Pahalgam killings, accusing India of attempting to “misuse international platforms to malign Pakistan.”
Pakistan also urged the international community to adopt “impartial and non-discriminatory approaches” in combating terrorism. This appeal came amid growing concern in Islamabad over intensified attacks by Baloch militants on security installations in Balochistan, with Pakistan specifically calling for action against the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Department of State had designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). India welcomed the move.
- With inputs from agencies