Shillong, April 23: The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left over 26 people dead and several others injured.
The attack, which targeted tourists at a popular meadow in South Kashmir, has been condemned as one of the worst assaults on civilians in the region in recent years.
In a statement released online, the TRF justified the attack by accusing the Indian government of facilitating demographic change in Jammu and Kashmir. “More than 85,000 domiciles have been issued to non-locals, creating a pathway for demographic change in Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). These non-locals arrive posing as tourists, obtain domiciles, and then begin to act as if they own the land. Consequently, violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally,” the group warned.
The TRF, which emerged in 2019 as a proxy outfit of Hafiz Saeed’s banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been behind several targeted attacks on civilians, security personnel, and political leaders. Indian intelligence agencies believe the group receives operational and logistical support from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Despite being banned by the Indian government in January 2023 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the TRF has continued to function covertly. Its commander, Sheikh Sajjad Gul, was also declared a terrorist under the same law. Gul, who is known for orchestrating cross-border infiltration and smuggling of arms and narcotics, currently has a bounty placed on him by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Authorities believe the Pahalgam attack is part of a broader strategy to disrupt peace in the region and fuel unrest. Security has been heightened across Jammu and Kashmir and a massive manhunt is underway to track down those involved in the attack.
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