Reasi Attack: What's TRF, the group that attacked the Vaishno Devi pilgrims?

In a tragic incident on Sunday, a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, resulting in nine fatalities and 33 injuries. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The TRF has warned of more attacks targeting "tourists and non-locals," calling this attack the "beginning of a renewed start."

TRF's History and Emergence

The TRF came into existence after the abrogation of Article 370, initially operating as an online entity. Six months later, it transitioned into a physical group, merging terrorists from various outfits, including LeT. The formation of TRF was a strategic move by Pakistan, under pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to clean up its terror funding activities.

India officially designated TRF as a terrorist organization in 2023. Since its founding in 2019, the group has been linked to numerous terror attacks, maintaining its position as a significant threat in the region.

Pakistan's Involvement

To avoid direct association with LeT and its notorious chief Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistani machinery and its terror network created TRF. This was an attempt to disguise its support and funding as part of a local resistance movement rather than a religious terrorist outfit.

Why TRF has become a headache for security agencies in Kashmir

The TRF has been involved in numerous terror attacks since its inception in 2019, particularly targeting minority Kashmiri Pandits. It has become one of the most active terror groups in Kashmir, claiming responsibility for many attacks to deflect attention from LeT. The TRF primarily uses LeT's funding channels.

In 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir Police reported that 172 terrorists, including 42 foreign nationals, were killed in over 90 operations by security forces in Kashmir. Among those killed, 108 were associated with TRF or LeT. Additionally, out of 100 men who joined terrorist groups, 74 were recruited by TRF.