Pak-based TRF, Behind J&K Attack, to Shift Base as US Declares it Terror Outfit: Reports
In a significant development, the US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This move comes after TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. Following this designation, TRF is reportedly shifting its base from Muridke to Bahawalpur in Pakistan.
TRF, which emerged in 2020, is a proxy of LeT, a notorious terrorist outfit responsible for several attacks in India. The group has been active in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the southern regions of the Valley. Its operatives have been involved in several attacks on security forces, civilians, and tourists.
The Pahalgam attack, which took place on June 12, 2022, was one of the deadliest in recent years. A group of terrorists, suspected to be TRF operatives, opened fire on a group of civilians, including tourists, at a popular trekking spot in Pahalgam. The attack left 26 people dead, including two police personnel, and several others injured.
The US designation of TRF as an FTO and SDGT is a significant development in the global effort to combat terrorism. The US Department of State has listed TRF as a terrorist organisation, citing its links to LeT and its involvement in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The US designation comes with several consequences, including freezing of assets, denial of visas, and legal action against individuals and entities that support TRF. The move is also expected to put pressure on Pakistan to take action against TRF, which has been accused of receiving support from the Pakistani military.
TRF’s shift of base from Muridke to Bahawalpur is seen as a response to the US designation. Muridke, located in Punjab province, has been a hub of terrorist activity in the past, with several terrorist outfits, including LeT, having operated from the area. Bahawalpur, located in Punjab province, is a relatively new hub of terrorist activity, with several terrorist outfits, including TRF, having established bases in the area.
The shift of base is seen as an attempt by TRF to evade detection and avoid scrutiny from the international community. Bahawalpur is a relatively quiet area, with limited security presence, making it an attractive location for terrorist outfits.
TRF’s links to LeT and its involvement in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir have been well-documented. The group has been responsible for several attacks on security forces, civilians, and tourists in the Valley. Its operatives have been involved in several incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and grenade attacks, causing widespread destruction and fear among the local population.
The US designation of TRF is seen as a significant blow to the group’s capabilities and a major setback for its operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The move is expected to put pressure on Pakistan to take action against TRF and to prevent the group from using its territory to launch attacks against India.
In conclusion, the US designation of TRF as an FTO and SDGT is a significant development in the global effort to combat terrorism. The shift of base from Muridke to Bahawalpur is seen as an attempt by TRF to evade detection and avoid scrutiny from the international community. The move is expected to put pressure on Pakistan to take action against TRF and to prevent the group from using its territory to launch attacks against India.
