Pak-based TRF, behind J&K attack, to shift base as US declares it terror outfit: Reports
In a significant development, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), which was behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead, is planning to shift its base from Muridke to Bahawalpur in Pakistan, according to reports. This move comes after the United States designated TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
The US acknowledged that TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, which was a devastating blow to the region. The attack saw a group of heavily-armed terrorists target a tourist bus carrying mostly foreign nationals, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life.
The development comes as a significant blow to TRF, which has been operating with the tacit support of the Pakistan army. The US designation is expected to further isolate TRF and make it difficult for the outfit to operate freely.
TRF’s Origins and Activities
TRF is a relatively new outfit that emerged in 2020 as a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) splinter group. LeT is a Pakistan-based terrorist organization that has been responsible for numerous attacks on Indian soil, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people.
TRF has been actively involved in recruiting and training militants in Pakistan and sending them to India to carry out attacks. The outfit has also been involved in providing financial and logistical support to terrorist groups operating in the region.
TRF’s operations have been closely linked to the Pakistan army, which has been accused of providing the outfit with safe haven, training, and logistical support. The outfit’s leader, Saifullah Khalid, is a known LeT operative who has been involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region.
US Designation: A Major Blow
The US designation of TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) is a major blow to the outfit. The designation makes it illegal for US citizens and companies to engage in any transactions with TRF, and makes it difficult for the outfit to access financial resources and logistics.
The designation also requires all US-based financial institutions to freeze the assets of TRF and its leaders, making it difficult for the outfit to operate financially. The designation also authorizes the US government to impose sanctions on individuals and entities that provide support to TRF.
Shifting Base: A Desperate Move
The decision by TRF to shift its base from Muridke to Bahawalpur in Pakistan is seen as a desperate move by the outfit to evade the US designation. Muridke has been a key hub for TRF’s operations, and the outfit has been using the region as a safe haven to train and recruit militants.
However, the US designation has made it difficult for TRF to operate from Muridke, and the outfit is now forced to move to a new location. Bahawalpur is a city located in the southern Punjab region of Pakistan, and it is likely that TRF will use the city as a new base to continue its terrorist activities.
Implications for Regional Security
The US designation of TRF and the outfit’s decision to shift its base have significant implications for regional security. The designation makes it clear that the US will not tolerate terrorist activities in the region, and it is likely to put pressure on Pakistan to take action against TRF and other terrorist outfits operating in the country.
The shift in TRF’s base also raises concerns about the outfit’s ability to continue its terrorist activities in the region. TRF has been responsible for numerous attacks in the region, including the recent Pahalgam attack, and its ability to continue these activities will have significant implications for regional security.
Conclusion
The designation of TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the US is a significant development in the fight against terrorism in the region. The designation makes it clear that the US will not tolerate terrorist activities in the region, and it is likely to put pressure on Pakistan to take action against TRF and other terrorist outfits operating in the country.
The shift in TRF’s base is a desperate move by the outfit to evade the US designation, and it is likely to have significant implications for regional security. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the US designation of TRF is a major blow to the outfit, and it is likely to continue to put pressure on Pakistan to take action against TRF and other terrorist outfits operating in the country.
