US Lists ‘The Resistance Front’ as Global Terrorist Organization | 19 Jul 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

India welcomed the US decision to officially designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. 

Note: After the Pahalgam attack, India launched a diplomatic push urging global action against TRF.  

What is the ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF)? 

  • About: TRF is a Pakistan-based designated terrorist group, active in Jammu and Kashmir. It emerged in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370. 
  • Creation of TRF: TRF was formed after LeT's leadership was decimated, to revive militancy in Kashmir under a new, local-seeming banner. 
    • TRF was created to give militancy in Kashmir an “indigenous” look and to avoid international scrutiny, especially from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which had greylisted Pakistan. 
  • Modus Operandi of TRF: TRF began as a social media-based group and evolved into a militant outfit with a strong online presence.  
    • TRF avoids fidayeen (suicide) attacks, unlike its parent group LeT. 
  • India’s and TRF: In 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the TRF a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for its involvement in terror propaganda, recruitment, infiltration, and smuggling of arms and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. 

Lashkar-e-Taiba 

  • Origins: Formed in the early 1990s as the military wing of Markaz-ud-Dawa-wal-Irshad, originally created to oppose Soviet forces in Afghanistan. It is one of the largest and most active Kashmir-focused militant groups. 
  • Major Attack: LeT was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and is also linked to the 2006 Mumbai train bombings and the 2010 Pune German Bakery blast. 
  • Global Designation: Recognized as a terrorist group by the US and UN. Banned in Pakistan in 2002. 
  • Front Organizations: Uses Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FiF) for charity and recruitment. Both are now designated as aliases for LeT. 
  • Operations Base: Maintains training camps, schools, and clinics in Pakistan. 
  • Tactics: Uses both militant operations and charity work to maintain support and cover. 

Note: UAPA 1967 designates terrorist organizations or individuals, criminalizes terrorist activities, and empowers authorities for investigation and prosecution. 

  • Under the UAPA 1967,  45 organisations are listed as terrorist groups and 23 as unlawful associations. The 2019 amendment allows individuals to be declared terrorists, helping prevent regrouping under new names. 
  • National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008 establishes a central agency for investigating and prosecuting terror-related offenses. 

Prominent India-Centric Terror Organizations in Pakistan 

Name 

About 

Status in India as per the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) 

Along with LET, it was responsible for the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament. 

Banned 

Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI) 

Initially formed to fight the Soviet army, later redirected efforts toward India. It operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, seeking annexation of Kashmir into Pakistan. 

Banned 

Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM) 

Operates mainly from Pak-Occupied Kashmir and some Pakistani cities. 

Banned 

Hizb-ul Mujahideen 

The militant wing of Pakistan’s largest Islamist political party, and is one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Banned 

Al Qaeda 

Operates primarily from former Federally Administered Tribal Areas in  Karachi, and Afghanistan. 

Banned 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims:

Q.‘Hand-in-Hand 2007’ a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries? (2008)  

(a) China   

(b) Japan  

(c) Russia   

(d) USA  

Ans: (a) 

Mains

Q. Indian government has recently strengthed the anti-terrorism laws by amending the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act, (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyze the changes in the context of prevailing security environment while discussing scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations. (2019)