Pakistan Asserts Terrorist Groups Neutralized Amid U.S. Labeling of Pahalgam Attack Culprit

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Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) declared on July 18, 2025, that it has “effectively dismantled” terrorist networks, rejecting U.S. claims linking The Resistance Front (TRF) to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The statement follows the U.S. designation of TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), escalating tensions as Pakistan accuses India of exploiting the label for propaganda.

The U.S. State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, branded TRF a terrorist group, calling it a “front and proxy” for LeT, responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The Pahalgam massacre, the deadliest civilian attack in India since then, saw gunmen target Hindu tourists in Baisaran Valley, initially claimed by TRF before a retraction. Pakistan’s FO, through spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, dismissed any LeT connection, stating, “Pakistan has prosecuted and deradicalized these outfits,” and labeled LeT “defunct.” Khan accused India of using the designation to mask human rights abuses in what Pakistan calls Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), citing India’s 2019 revocation of J&K’s autonomy as a root cause of unrest.

India, however, insists TRF operates under Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with intelligence intercepts pointing to LeT’s logistical support. The attack prompted India’s Operation Sindoor, airstrikes on alleged terror sites in Pakistan on May 7, 2025, sparking a brief military clash. “India’s evidence shows TRF is LeT rebranded,” said Indian analyst Arzan Tarapore, noting Pakistan’s history of shielding militants. Pakistan’s claim of dismantling groups like LeT, reinforced by the 2022 arrest of Sharifullah for the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing, faces skepticism given persistent militant activity.

The FO’s statement reflects Pakistan’s defensive posture as global scrutiny intensifies. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Pakistan from its “grey list” in 2022, but critics argue its counterterrorism efforts remain superficial. With investigations into Pahalgam inconclusive, Pakistan’s denials risk further isolating it diplomatically, especially as India leverages U.S. support to press for accountability. The standoff underscores the volatile India-Pakistan rivalry, with Kashmir remaining a flashpoint for conflict and competing narratives.