The cowardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam has once again exposed the evolving tactics of Pakistan-based terror outfits, trying to spread violence in the Valley. The group that claimed responsibility for the massacre, The Resistance Front (TRF), is not an isolated entity but a strategic rebranding of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
In recent years, a noticeable shift has taken place in the way these groups present themselves. Instead of overtly religious banners like LeT or Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), newer outfits such as TRF, PAFF (People's Anti-Fascist Front), and United Liberation Front (ULF) have emerged. On the surface, these groups appear secular, political, and even “liberal” in their rhetoric. But in reality, they are nothing more than old wine in new bottles—proxy arms of Pakistan-based jihadist groups trying to hide their Islamist credentials and rewrite the rules of asymmetric warfare.
Post-370 Landscape: A Catalyst for Rebranding
The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 marked a significant turning point in the political and security dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan and the terror groups it sponsors faced a new reality, one where the traditional Islamist narrative, often centred on the special status of the region, had been fundamentally altered. This necessitated a recalibration of their strategy, leading to the emergence and prominence of proxy organizations like TRF and PAFF.
What is driving this shift?
Evading international scrutiny and sanctions: Over the years, Islamabad has faced increasing pressure from global watchdogs—especially the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)—to crack down on terror financing and dismantle the infrastructure of jihadist outfits. Groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations and several major countries, including the United States. These designations not only restrict financial channels but also bring intense diplomatic heat on Pakistan.
As part of a strategy to deflect this scrutiny, Pakistan began promoting proxy groups that lacked overt religious branding. One of the most significant examples of this is The Resistance Front (TRF), which emerged shortly after the Indian government abrogated Article 370 in 2019.
“TRF was created post abrogation of Article 370 and was strategically not given a religious identity. Why not Lashkar, though it is a shadow of Lashkar, because of the fact that at that time, Pakistan was under the FATF grey list and were under the scrutiny for terror financing and other things. So, this was a move which was basically designed to avoid scrutiny of FATF,” Dr Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow at Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), told Moneycontrol.
The creation of TRF allowed Pakistan to continue sponsoring violence in Kashmir while claiming plausible deniability. Unlike LeT or JeM, TRF projects itself as an indigenous, secular "resistance movement," thereby complicating India's case at international forums. This maneuver has enabled Pakistan to continue its proxy war with less diplomatic cost, even as it outwardly complied with FATF-mandated reforms.
Challenging the narrative of normalcy in Kashmir: Another key reason behind the emergence of groups like TRF is their role in undermining the Indian government’s efforts to project normalcy in Kashmir, especially after the abrogation of Article 370. By shedding overtly Islamist identities and adopting more neutral, localized branding, these outfits aim to portray the ongoing violence as an indigenous, grassroots resistance movement rather than foreign-sponsored terrorism.
This rebranding helps these terror outfits frame attacks—like the recent one in Pahalgam—as acts of political resistance rather than religious extremism. Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif referring to the attack as "home-grown violence" reflects the same tactic.
Recruiting disillusioned youth: Recruitment tactics have also evolved. Unlike earlier days when recruiters used mosques and religious seminaries, TRF and PAFF largely function online. They target disenfranchised youth through encrypted channels like Telegram and Instagram, often using manipulated images, emotional narratives, and videos of Indian security operations to stir up anger. These groups also capitalize on economic desperation and emotional trauma.
Despite rebranding, the funding routes remain the same. Pakistan’s ISI is known to provide logistics, training, arms, and operational support to these front organizations. Many operatives continue to be trained in PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) camps and are then infiltrated into the Valley.
Hawala channels, cryptocurrency, and charitable organizations continue to be major sources of funding. Terror-financing networks established decades ago by LeT and JeM remain active, now funneled toward their proxy avatars.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
