A significant terrorist attack has occurred in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Tourists were targeted in this attack, with fears of 26 fatalities, although 16 deaths have been confirmed so far. Approximately 10 people are critically injured. Immediately after the attack, Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Jeddah, spoke with him over the phone. The Home Minister has now reached Srinagar along with the IB Chief and Home Secretary.
According to internal security sources, the terrorist attack in Pahalgam is the result of a joint conspiracy by banned terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. These groups are orchestrating terror attacks with small 'hit squads' under Pakistan's directive, aiming to instill fear and disrupt the Amarnath pilgrimage and tourism. A similar attack had occurred in Sonamarg.
The Lashkar-e-Taiba front group, 'The Resistance Front' (TRF), has claimed responsibility for the attack. TRF's 'hit squad' and 'falcon squad' could pose a significant threat in Kashmir in the coming days. This terrorist module is trained for targeted killings and to hide in dense and elevated terrains. Sources report that the newly formed 'falcon squad' has received a large shipment of advanced weapons, used in these attacks.
Several months ago, an alert related to attacks on security forces was issued. Intel had provided information about the falcon squad recruiting through social media. This squad operates with a 'hit-and-run' strategy and collaborates with 'over-ground workers.' Sources indicate that 'The Resistance Front' is a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba, with 'falcon squad' being one of its modules. Lashkar is directly commanding targeted killings in Kashmir.
Source: aajtak
Following the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, TRF emerged as an online unit, thought to provide cover for terrorist groups like Lashkar. The Pakistani military and ISI support it through backdoor channels, mostly utilizing Lashkar's funding networks. In March, the Home Ministry informed the State Assembly that 'The Resistance Front (TRF) is a cover organization for the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
TRF came into existence in 2019, with the conspiracy being knitted across the border. The major terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, laid bare Pakistan's global exposure. It was orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed. Facing worldwide pressure, Pakistan realized the need to take action against terrorist groups, leading to the initiation of proxy organizations.
Source: aajtak
This way, terrorism could be spread in India without implicating Pakistan. The ISI and the Pakistani army established TRF with Lashkar-e-Taiba. In its 2022 annual report, the Jammu & Kashmir police stated that over 90 operations were carried out by security forces, resulting in the deaths of 172 terrorists, including 42 foreign nationals. Among those killed, most (108) were from 'The Resistance Front' or Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Additionally, out of the 100 individuals recruited by terrorist groups, 74 were recruited by TRF, indicating a mounting threat from this Pakistan-backed entity. The name TRF first emerged post the 2020 Kulgam massacre. During that time, BJP worker Fida Hussain, Omar Rashid Beg, and Omar Hajam were brutally murdered. It is reported that TRF aims to recreate the terror-stricken era in Kashmir reminiscent of the 1990s.
