In a horrifying terror attack that shook Kashmir’s picturesque Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Pakistan-based terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists on Tuesday, killing at 26 people and injuring 17 including tourists and security personnel. Two officers from Indian Navy and the Intelligence Bureau were also among the deceased.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a terror outfit, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the massacre in Pahalgam. The organisation is backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. The Resistance Front is allegedly linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The outfit is considered a proxy of LeT founder and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
“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,” TRF said.
LeT’s top Commander Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, is suspected to be one of the plotters, according to an intelligence assessment. The role of two Rawalkot-based Lashkar commanders, one of whom is Abu Musa, is also being checked.
Who is Saifullah Khalid?
Saifullah Kasuri aka Khalid was designated for acting on behalf of LeT. Khalid was introduced as the President of the MML and spoke about the party’s formation, aims, and objectives, during an August 8, 2017 press conference, according to the US Treasury.
Khalid is also the head of LeT’s Peshawar headquarters, and served on Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD)’s Coordination Committee for Central Punjab Province. JuD was designated by the Department of State as an alias of LeT pursuant to E.O. 13224 in April 2016, and was added to the United Nations 1267/1988 Sanctions list as an alias of LeT in December 2008.
TRF a terrorist organisation: Government of India
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, TRF “has been involved in the planning of killings of security force personnel and innocent civilians of Jammu and Kashmir, co-ordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from across the border.”
The Government of India formally designated TRF as a terrorist organisation under the UAPA in the year 2023. This move allowed for stronger surveillance and crackdowns on its operations and associates. Furthermore the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central agencies have intensified their efforts to dismantle the group’s operational infrastructure.
Kashmir valley shutdown in protest against Pahalgam attack
Meanwhile, Kashmir valley observed a shutdown against the Pahalgam attack on Wednesday as organisations from all walks of life supported the bandh call to protest the killings in the Pahalgam tourist resort.
Several political parties, socio-religious organisations, trade bodies, and civil society groups called for a shutdown in Kashmir to protest the attack in Baisaran meadows of the Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The ruling National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples’ Conference, and Apni Party were among the political outfits that supported the shutdown.
Security has been beefed up across the valley, especially at vital tourist spots. The officials said that most of the shops, fuel stations, and other business establishments were shut down in Srinagar.