Who is The Resistance Front (TRF)? The Proxy Lashkar Terror Group Behind the Pahalgam Bloodshed

A devastating terrorist attack happened near Pahalgam on April 22, resulting in the tragic loss of 26 lives, including two foreign nationals, and leaving several others injured. This assault unfolded in Baisaran, a picturesque locality close to Pahalgam, around 1:30 pm. The Resistance Front (TRF), a militant faction, has claimed responsibility for this brutal act. TRF, recognised for its activities in Jammu and Kashmir, has been officially labeled as a terrorist entity by India.

The origins of TRF trace back to 2019, following the Government's decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Believed to be a proxy arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), TRF was aimed at injecting a new dynamism into the terror landscape of Kashmir. This group differentiates itself with a more local and less overtly religious facade, positioning its narrative within the broader Kashmiri autonomy movement. Despite this, TRF has been implicated in several attacks targeting civilians, including members of the Kashmiri Pandit and Sikh communities, as well as security forces.

TRF's Propaganda and Recruitment through Social Media:

Since its inception, TRF has utilised social media platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp for propaganda and recruitment purposes. This strategy underscores its modern approach to spreading its ideology and enlarging its base.

On April 1, 2020, The Resistance Front (TRF) gained significant attention following a four-day gun battle near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara's Keran Sector. The clash resulted in the deaths of five Indian paracommandos and five TRF militants.

The government, recognising the threat posed by TRF, banned the organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Born on October 10, 1974, in Srinagar, Sheikh Sajjad Gul also known as Sheikh Sajjad, founder of TRF, was designated as a terrorist in 2022.

Its founder asserts that the group opposes "local oppression" and maintains a stance of independence from Pakistan and the influence of Hafiz Saeed.

TRF's Targeted Violence

TRF attacks have primarily targeted Kashmiri Pandits, Hindus, Sikhs, and other civilians. Unlike other militant groups such as LeT and HM, who did not claim responsibility, it was TRF that took credit for these attacks. The Indian government has accused the group of engaging in various unlawful activities, including plotting attacks on both security forces and civilians, facilitating the movement of weapons for banned militant groups, recruiting militants, infiltrating across borders, and trafficking weapons and narcotics.

One of the most notable incidents was TRF's claim of responsibility for an attack on security personnel in the Anantnag district, where they employed guerrilla warfare tactics. The attack was framed as an "act of revenge" for the killing of their leader, Commander Riyaz Ahmed, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

According to 2022 data, out of the 172 terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir, 108 were linked to The Resistance Front. Additionally, statistics show that 74 out of 100 new recruits were brought into the fold by the TRF.

The most recent major attack involving the TRF was the Ganderbal terror attack, where seven individuals were killed at a construction site in North Kashmir last year.

Incidents Involving TRF

• 5 April 2020: Two TRF militants killed five Indian PARA SF personnel before being killed themselves in Keran.
• 18 April 2020: TRF militants ambushed Indian forces in Sopore, killing at least three and injuring two others.
• 3 May 2020: Five Indian security personnel, including a Colonel, Major, and an Inspector of SOG, were killed by two TRF militants, who were later killed during the operation.
• 5 May 2020: Four CRPF personnel and one disabled local civilian were killed, and five CRPF personnel were injured. Two rifles were stolen from the fallen CRPF troopers.
• 21 May 2020: TRF militants attacked a CRPF/JKP party, killing two personnel and injuring a third.
• 8 June 2020: TRF militants assassinated a Kashmiri Pandit village head (sarpanch).
• 1 July 2020: TRF militants ambushed Indian forces, killing two and injuring three others. A 64-year-old civilian was killed in crossfire, sparking widespread anger across Kashmir.
• 8 July 2020: TRF militants killed three civilians, including a local politician, his father, and his brother.
• 25 September 2020: TRF militants assassinated Babar Qadri, a prominent local lawyer.
• 6 October 2020: TRF militants attacked the residence of a local politician, killing the PSO of the BJP leader. One TRF militant was also killed in the exchange.
• 30 October 2020: TRF militants ambushed and killed three civilians, all BJP workers.
• 8 November 2020: TRF militants encountered Indian forces during a search operation, resulting in the deaths of three Indian Army personnel, one BSF personnel, and three TRF militants.
• 23 December 2020: TRF militants threw grenades at a CRPF party and then opened fire, killing two and injuring another.
• 31 December 2020: TRF militants assassinated jeweler Satpal Nischal.
• 19 February 2021: TRF militants killed two local policemen in Srinagar.
• 29 March 2021: TRF militants killed one policeman and two municipal councillors in an ambush during a meeting of BJP councilors in Sopore.
• 1 April 2021: TRF militants killed one local policeman in an attack on a politician's house.
• 22 June 2021: TRF militants assassinated a CID Inspector.
• 27 June 2021: Alleged TRF militants killed three people, including a local police officer, his wife, and his daughter.
• 7 August 2021: TRF militants killed one local police officer and injured another.
• 5 October 2021: TRF militants assassinated Kashmiri Pandit businessman Makhan Lal Bindro in Srinagar.
• 7 October 2021: TRF militants assassinated two non-Muslim teachers-one Hindu and one Sikh-in a school in Srinagar.
• 9 October 2021: TRF militants killed two policemen.
• 13 September 2023: TRF militants were involved in the 2023 Anantnag encounter.