Hours after the haunting Pahalgam terror attack, The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the same. This Pakistan-backed terror group has taken at least 26 lives in Jammu and Kashmir just weeks ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. The TRF statement read, “More than 85,000 domiciles have been issued to non-locals, creating a pathway for demographic change in Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJK). These non-locals arrive posing as tourists, obtain domiciles, and then being to act as if they own the land. Consequently, violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally”.
The Resistance Front (TRF) was also found to orchestrating several attacks such as terrorist infiltration attempts and functions as a ‘proxy outfit’ of the Lashkar-e-Taiba’ as per MHA. The Front is reportedly involved in narcotic movement and claimed responsibility of the Ganderbal attacks as well.
Who is Saifullah Khalid?
Saifullah Khalid or Saifullah Kasuri (Khalid) was introduced as the President of the MML during a press conference by the US treasury in 2017. He is designated for acting for or on behalf of terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Suspected to have connections with Hafiz Saeed, LeT co-founder, he was found to be giving speeches instigating communal attacks.
He is also the head of Peshawar’s LeT headquarter and served on the Coordination Committee of Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD) in the central Punjab province. JuD has been designated as an alias of LeT by the Department of State and is a members of the United Nations Sanctions list as of December 2008. Khalid is among the top suspects of the plotters and as per sources of Times of India, Abu Musa is also under close scrutiny.
What is the Resistance Front?
The Ministry of Home Affairs banned TRF in January 2023 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. TRF has been attributed to major attacks on civilians including Kashmiri Pandits and migrant workers. Bringing terror to the peaceful meadows of Pahalgam, the TRF is an off shoot of LeT was formed to reportedly provide localised militancy in Kashmir.
As per latest reports, at least 26 people have been killed in the attack. However, the officials have curated and released the sketches of the terrorists. Global leaders have expressed their support for India as PM Modi cut his Saudi-Arabia trip short to chair a meeting with the Ministry of External Affairs and discuss the future security measures.