China has strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, calling for enhanced regional cooperation to combat terrorism. The statement followed the United States’ designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
Speaking to reporters, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, “China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22. China calls on regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability.”
The U.S. Department of State’s designation came after TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians—the deadliest such incident in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision, highlighting it as part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s broader counterterrorism strategy.
“Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT),” the statement read. “These actions demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.”
TRF has also been linked to several other attacks on Indian security forces in recent years, including multiple incidents in 2024. The designation ensures additional sanctions, restrictions, and asset freezes aimed at disrupting the group’s activities.
China’s alignment with the U.S. stance marks a significant diplomatic moment, as both powers call for regional unity in countering cross-border terrorism, particularly emanating from South Asia.
