Pak-based TRF, behind J&K attack, to shift base as US declares it terror outfit: Reports
In a significant development, The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot, is planning to shift its base from Muridke to Bahawalpur in Pakistan, reports said. This move comes after the United States declared TRF a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
The US acknowledged that TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. The attack, which took place in May, was one of the deadliest in recent years in the region.
TRF, which was formed in 2020, has been accused of carrying out several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Pahalgam attack. The group is believed to have links with the Pakistani military and has been using the country’s territory to launch attacks across the border.
The US designation of TRF as an FTO and SDGT is a significant blow to the group, as it will make it difficult for them to raise funds, recruit new members, and operate freely. The designation also means that any assets held by TRF in the US will be frozen, and US citizens will be prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group.
The move by the US is seen as a strong message to Pakistan, which has been accused of providing safe haven to terrorist groups operating in the region. The US has long been critical of Pakistan’s failure to crack down on terrorist groups, including LeT, which is responsible for several high-profile attacks in India.
The TRF is believed to have been formed by LeT operatives who were unhappy with the group’s decision to lay down arms in 2020. LeT had announced a ceasefire in 2020, but the TRF has continued to carry out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The shift of TRF’s base from Muridke to Bahawalpur is seen as an attempt by the group to evade the US sanctions. Bahawalpur is a city in southern Pakistan that is known for its close ties with the Pakistani military.
The US designation of TRF as an FTO and SDGT is also seen as a boost to India’s efforts to combat terrorism. India has long been demanding that Pakistan take action against terrorist groups operating in the region, and the US designation is seen as a validation of India’s concerns.
The TRF has been accused of carrying out several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Pahalgam attack, which was one of the deadliest in recent years. The group has also been accused of using social media to spread its ideology and recruit new members.
In a statement, the US Department of State said that TRF was responsible for “multiple attacks” in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Pahalgam attack. The statement said that the group was “committed to violence and terrorism” and that it was “directly supported” by LeT.
The US designation of TRF as an FTO and SDGT is the latest in a series of measures taken by the US to combat terrorism in the region. The US has also imposed sanctions on several individuals and entities linked to LeT and other terrorist groups operating in the region.
In conclusion, the shift of TRF’s base from Muridke to Bahawalpur is a significant development that highlights the group’s attempts to evade US sanctions. The US designation of TRF as an FTO and SDGT is a strong message to Pakistan and a boost to India’s efforts to combat terrorism. The TRF’s continued operations in the region are a threat to regional stability, and it is essential that Pakistan takes action to crack down on the group.
