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Pahalgam Terror Attack: The Resistance Front (TRF), a militant group linked to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed's Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the recent terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 27 people.
In its statement, the TRF accused the Indian government of issuing over 85,000 domiciles to non-locals, alleging that this would lead to demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir. The group claimed that these non-locals, disguised as tourists, acquire domiciles and later act as if they own the land. The TRF further threatened violence against those attempting to settle in the region illegally.
The TRF, which was banned by the Indian government last year, is involved in recruiting youth online for terrorist activities. It is also known for its involvement in smuggling weapons and narcotics, as well as infiltrating terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan.
Formed in 2019 as a proxy of the banned LeT, the TRF has been linked to numerous attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Sheikh Sajjad Gul, a commander within the TRF, has been designated a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) of 1967.
The TRF has carried out multiple attacks against civilians, security forces, and political figures in Jammu and Kashmir. It is believed that the group receives support from Pakistan's state apparatus, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in an effort to maintain unrest in the region.
In January 2023, the Indian government officially designated TRF as a terrorist organisation under UAPA. Sheikh Sajjad Gul was also marked as a terrorist, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) offering a reward for information leading to his capture, reflecting the group's growing threat to regional stability.
On Tuesday evening, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar to assess the security situation in Kashmir following the tragic attack in Pahalgam. After landing, he headed to Raj Bhavan and is scheduled to hold a high-level security meeting. Shah is also expected to visit Pahalgam on Wednesday.
The attack, which took place in the scenic Baisaran Valley—often referred to as “mini Switzerland”—is one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack. Terrorists opened fire on tourists in the popular meadow, killing 27 people, including two foreigners and two local residents. According to officials, the gunmen targeted tourists who were enjoying pony rides, eating at local stalls, or picnicking in the area, which is surrounded by dense forests and mountains.
