In a cautious yet firm response, China on Friday called for increased regional cooperation to combat terrorism, following the United States’ decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
The TRF is widely believed to be a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a group long accused of fomenting violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
#TRFDesignation #USCounterTerrorism #ChinaOnTerrorism
Responding to media queries at a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated Beijing’s longstanding position against terrorism in all its forms.
“China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22,”
Lin stated, referring to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including civilians and security personnel.
#PahalgamAttack #CondemnTerrorism
However, in a move that suggests diplomatic balancing, Lin refrained from directly naming either TRF or Pakistan, instead choosing to emphasize the importance of regional cooperation.
“China calls on regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability,” he added.
#RegionalSecurity #CounterTerrorism
The statement came hours after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally announced the inclusion of TRF in its list of FTOs and SDGTs, a classification that involves financial sanctions, travel restrictions, and increased global surveillance of the group’s networks and supporters.
“We are designating The Resistance Front for its role in the April 22 Pahalgam attack and its affiliation with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Tayyiba,” Rubio said.
#GlobalSanctions #TRFTerrorLink
The U.S. designation is likely to trigger broader discussions at international forums, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), particularly under the 1267 Sanctions Committee, which plays a central role in identifying and sanctioning terror groups and individuals worldwide.
#UNSC1267 #GlobalCounterTerrorism
The 1267 Committee already includes several Pakistani outfits and figures like Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), and their notorious leaders such as Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar. These designations come with strict asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes.
#UNSanctions #PakistanBasedTerror
Despite the severity of the Pahalgam incident, where the TRF initially claimed responsibility before retracting amid rising geopolitical tensions, earlier UNSC statements on the attack stopped short of naming the group, allegedly due to objections raised by Pakistan and China.
A UNSC statement released on April 25 strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack, but references to TRF and LeT were omitted—a move criticized by Indian officials and international counter-terrorism experts as a dilution of accountability.
#UNDebateOnTerror #TerrorImpunity
Notably, Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn acknowledged the weight of the U.S. announcement, stating that it closely aligns with India’s long-held position that the TRF is merely a front for the banned LeT.
#IndiaStanceOnTRF #ProxyTerror
The April 22 attack, which shook the valley of Jammu and Kashmir, marked a severe escalation in cross-border tensions. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror training camps and infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The operation reportedly involved a combination of precision drone strikes and missile launches.
#OperationSindoor #IndiaStrikesBack
Following four days of intense exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC), India and Pakistan reached a temporary ceasefire understanding on May 10, calming a highly volatile situation that had sparked fears of a wider conflict.
#IndoPakCeasefire #BorderTensions
While the U.S. designation of TRF could pave the way for further global pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure, India continues to demand firm and unequivocal action against groups that threaten its territorial sovereignty and internal peace.
The TRF designation by Washington not only validates India’s security concerns but also puts the spotlight on countries that have been reluctant to name or act against state-sponsored terrorism, especially when political interests intersect with security agendas.
#ZeroToleranceTerror #InternationalSupportForIndia
As the debate shifts to international forums, the world will be watching how major powers, especially those with veto power in the UNSC, respond to increasing evidence and pressure to recognize the true nature of proxy terrorism emerging from the region.
#ProxyWars #GlobalSecurityConcerns
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