On April 22, 2025, the serene Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, often dubbed “mini Switzerland” for its picturesque meadows, was shattered by a horrific terrorist attack. The assault, which claimed at least 26 lives, including tourists, a Navy officer, and foreign nationals, marked one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for this heinous act. This article delves into TRF’s origins, operations, and motivations, shedding light on the organisation behind the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Resistance Front: An Overview
The Resistance Front emerged in 2019, shortly after the Indian government abrogated Article 370, granting special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. TRF is widely recognized as an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a notorious terrorist organization responsible for numerous attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF in January 2023 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, designating it a terrorist organization due to its activities that threaten India’s national security and sovereignty.
Unlike LeT, which openly operates with a jihadist ideology, TRF attempts to present itself as a secular resistance movement. However, its links to LeT and its operations reveal a clear Islamist agenda aimed at destabilizing Jammu and Kashmir.
The group is known for targeting non-Kashmiris, security forces, and civilians to disrupt tourism and sow fear, as evidenced by the Pahalgam attack.
Origins and Leadership
TRF was formed to operate as a proxy for LeT, allowing the latter to maintain plausible deniability while continuing its militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The group’s emergence coincided with increased scrutiny on LeT and other Pakistan-based terror outfits. By creating TRF, LeT sought to rebrand its operations under a new name to evade international sanctions and local crackdowns.
A key figure associated with TRF is Sajjad Gul, born in Srinagar on October 10, 1974. Designated a terrorist by the Indian government in 2022, Gul is believed to be a mastermind behind several TRF attacks, including the Pahalgam assault. Other prominent TRF operatives include Sajid Jatt and Salim Rehmani, all of whom have ties to LeT. The group’s leadership operates both locally in Jammu and Kashmir and across the border in Pakistan, leveraging cross-border networks to plan and execute attacks.
Operational Tactics
TRF’s modus operandi involves a combination of guerrilla warfare, targeted assassinations, and psychological operations. The Pahalgam attack exemplifies its strategy of targeting civilians in high-visibility areas to maximize fear and disrupt normalcy.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, dressed in fatigues and possibly disguised as security personnel, opened fire at close range on tourists in Baisaran meadow, a remote location accessible only by foot or horseback. This calculated choice of location complicated rescue efforts and amplified the attack’s impact.
The group is also active on social media, using platforms to incite violence and recruit members. The MHA has noted TRF’s involvement in “psychological operations” to radicalize youth in Jammu and Kashmir and encourage them to join terrorist outfits. A statement attributed to TRF following the Pahalgam attack claimed the group was targeting “non-locals” to protest alleged demographic changes in Kashmir, though the authenticity of this statement remains unverified.
TRF’s attacks are often meticulously planned. For instance, a 2020 gun battle in the Keran sector of Kupwara, which killed five Indian para commandos, was linked to TRF. The group’s ability to coordinate such operations highlights its access to resources, training, and intelligence, likely provided by LeT and its Pakistan-based handlers.
The Pahalgam Attack: Context and Motivations
The Pahalgam attack occurred during a peak tourist season, with Jammu and Kashmir witnessing a surge in visitors after years of tourism decline due to militancy. The region was also preparing for the annual Amarnath Yatra, a major Hindu pilgrimage set to begin on July 3, 2025. By targeting tourists in a popular destination like Pahalgam, TRF aimed to undermine the region’s economic recovery and send a message of insecurity.
The group’s stated motivations, as per unverified social media statements, include opposition to the issuance of domiciles to non-locals, which they claim facilitates demographic changes in Kashmir. However, security analysts argue that TRF’s broader objective is to sustain militancy in the region, destabilize the Indian administration, and advance LeT’s jihadist agenda. The attack’s timing, coinciding with high-profile visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia and US Vice President JD Vance to India, suggests an intent to draw international attention.
Links to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan
TRF’s connection to LeT is well-documented. The MHA has described TRF as a “proxy outfit” of LeT, with the latter providing funding, logistics, and operational support. LeT, founded by Hafiz Saeed, is a Pakistan-based terrorist organization with a history of orchestrating attacks against India. Posts on X and media reports, including those from India Today and LiveMint, consistently identify TRF as an LeT offshoot, with the Pahalgam attack attributed to this nexus.
BJP leader Ravinder Raina and other officials have pointed to Pakistani terrorists as the perpetrators, accusing them of targeting unarmed civilians to avoid direct confrontations with Indian security forces. While Pakistan denies sponsoring terrorism, India insists that groups like LeT and TRF operate with the tacit support of elements within Pakistan’s establishment. The Pahalgam attack has reignited calls for stronger counterterrorism measures and international pressure on Pakistan to dismantle terror networks.
Response and Implications
The Indian government responded swiftly to the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the “heinous act,” vowing that the perpetrators would face justice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah traveled to Srinagar to chair a high-level security review meeting, signaling a robust response. Security forces, including the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched a massive anti-terrorist operation to hunt down the attackers, cordoning off the area and deploying helicopters for evacuation.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of tourists and pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir, especially ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. It has also prompted political reactions, with opposition leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticizing the government’s claims of normalcy in the region. Internationally, leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Vice President JD Vance expressed condolences, underscoring the global ramifications of the attack.
The Resistance Front, as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, represents a significant threat to peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, underscores the group’s willingness to target civilians to achieve its objectives of fear, disruption, and militancy. While security forces work to neutralize TRF’s operatives, addressing the group’s cross-border support and online propaganda will be critical to preventing future attacks. For now, the scars of Pahalgam serve as a grim reminder of the challenges India faces in combating terrorism in one of its most beautiful regions.
Sources: The Times of India, The Hindu, India Today, LiveMint, NDTV, Al Jazeera, and posts on X.