The Resistance Front Explained

The Resistance Front
Founders:Muhammad Abbas Sheikh[1]
Sheikh Sajjad Gul[2]
War:Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
Attacks:
Designated As Terror Group By: India
Leader2 Name:Umais Nisar Wani
Motives:Insurgency against Indian administration of Jammu and Kashmir[7] [8] [9] [10]
Spokesperson:Ahmed Khalid[11]
Active:2019–present
Split From:Hizbul Mujahideen
Lashkar-e-Taiba
Leader1 Title:Patron and Supreme Commander
Leader1 Name:Sheikh Sajjad Gul
Leader2 Title:Current Chief Operational Commander
Area:Jammu and Kashmir
Ideology:Kashmiri Nationalism and Separatism
Allies:People's Anti-Fascist Front
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
Al-Badr (United Liberation Front)[12]
Opponents: India

The Resistance Front (TRF) is a militant organisation actively engaged in insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, and designated as a terrorist organisation in India.[13] Indian government and other experts believe that the organisation was founded by and is an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based Jihadist terrorist group.[14] The group is responsible for attacks on and killings of civilians, including those belonging to religious minority communities such as Kashmiri Hindus[15] [16] [14] government employees,[17] labourers and business owners, local politicians, and tourists,[18] as well as for several attacks on Indian security forces including local policemen.[19] [14]

Formed using cadres of Jihadist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen[15] [14] [20] in the aftermath of the 2019 abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, TRF uses non-religious nomenclature and symbolism to project a secular image, but has carried out targeted killings of locals from religious minority communities.[15] [16] The group maintains a significant social media presence, some of which has been traced to Pakistan.

Origins

The Resistance Front was founded in October 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the revocation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian government in August 2019.[21] The TRF portrays itself as an indigenous Kashmiri resistance movement fighting for the freedom of Jammu and Kashmir from India, while the Indian government has accused the TRF of being a frontal organization for Lashkar-e-Taiba.[22] The TRF has been noted for using non-religious symbolism, with logos, statements, and attack rationale all being distinct from past Islamist Kashmiri insurgents such as Hizbul Mujahideen, to project a secular image, while continuing to attack religious minorities.[23] On April 1, 2020, the TRF gained prominence after a four-day gun battle near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara's Keran Sector, during which five Indian paracommandos and five TRF militants were killed.[24]

Activities

TRF attacks have targeted Kashmiri Pandits, Hindus, Sikhs, as well as Muslims. In these attacks on civilians, LeT and HM did not claim responsibility, only the TRF did. TRF has been accused by the Indian government of links to various activities, including planning attacks on security forces and civilians, coordinating the transportation of weapons for proscribed militant groups, recruitment of militants, infiltration across borders, and smuggling of weapons and narcotics.

In 2022, it was responsible for a substantial number of fatalities in the region. TRF has also been active in recruitment, making it a prominent militant group in Jammu and Kashmir.[22] The TRF has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir against Indian forces and it has made use of social media videos and posters to spread its propaganda.

Notably, TRF claimed responsibility for an attack on security officers in the Anantnag district using the guerilla warfare strategy, citing it as an "act of revenge" for the killing of their leader, commander Riyaz Ahmed, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Notable incidents

International implications

Pakistan's inclusion on the FATF's "grey list" in 2018 and its subsequent removal raised questions about TRF's emergence. Some believe that TRF was strategically created to divert attention from LeT and other terror groups under FATF scrutiny. This move allowed Pakistan to maintain plausible deniability for attacks in India.[22]

Ban and designation

In January 2023, TRF was banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Indian government. This action designated its leader, Sheikh Sajjad Gul, as a militant.[48] The ban was imposed due to the Indian government's suspicions of TRF's involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate Kashmiri journalist Shujaat Bukhari in June 2018.[49]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Who was Abbas Sheikh, TRF chief who revived militancy in Srinagar?. The Week.
  2. Web site: LeT commander Sajjad Gul designated as terrorist. Press Trust of. India.
  3. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kupwara-encounter-3-more-soldiers-succumb-to-injuries-total-8-martyred-in-gunfight-with-infiltrators-1663929-2020-04-06 India Today
  4. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/3/kashmir-5-security-forces-and-2-rebels-killed-in-a-gun-battle Kashmir: 5 security forces and 2 rebels killed in a gun battle
  5. https://m.thewire.in/article/government/jammu-and-kashmir-sopore-municipal-councillor-policeman Jammu and Kashmir: Municipal Councillor and Policeman Killed in Sopore
  6. https://kashmirpulse.com/jk/kashmir/four-militants-ogws-held-for-june-2-ied-blast-in-shopian/90571.html Four Militants, OGWs Held for June 2 IED Blast in Shopian
  7. Web site: Pak launches terror's new face in Kashmir, Imran Khan follows up on Twitter. Gupta. Shishir. 2020-05-08. Hindustan Times. en. 2020-05-11.
  8. Web site: 'Pakistan trying to securalise Kashmir militancy': Lashkar regroups in Valley as The Resistance Front. 2020-05-05. The Indian Express. en-US. 2020-05-11.
  9. Web site: New J&K terror outfit run by LeT brass: Intel. Gupta. Shishir. 2020-05-08. Hindustan Times. en. 2020-05-11.
  10. News: Pubby. Manu. Chaudhury. Dipanjan Roy. 2020-04-29. The Resistance Front: New name of terror groups in Kashmir. The Economic Times. 2020-05-11.
  11. News: TRF Spokesperson Ahmed Khalid . Hindustan Times . 24 May 2022 .
  12. TRF And ULF active in Jammu and Kashmir Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen leaders form the core of the TRF in Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and ULF is Group of Al Badr but also working with TRF against India
  13. News: Joy . Shemin . Centre bans LeT's proxy outfit 'The Resistance Front' . . 6 January 2023 . 19 May 2024.
  14. Web site: What is The Resistance Front, responsible for killing of 3 security officers in J&K? . . 14 September 2024.
  15. Web site: Positioning The Resistance Front (TRF) in Kashmir’s militancy landscape . 15 December 2021 . . 19 May 2024.
  16. Web site: Basak . Saptarshi . The Resistance Front: The Invisible, LeT-Backed Outfit Terrorising Kashmir . . 11 October 2021.
  17. News: Majid . Zulfikar . Govt employee shot dead by terrorists in J&K’s Rajouri . . 22 April 2024.
  18. News: Gupta . Manoj . Lashkar-Backed TRF Behind 2 Terror Attacks In Kashmir Ahead Of Monday’s Polls: Intel Sources . . 19 May 2024.
  19. News: Lashkar-Backed TRF Behind 2 Terror Attacks In Kashmir Ahead Of Monday’s Polls: Intel Sources . India TV News . 19 February 2021.
  20. Web site: Mir . Shakir . Why Militants Are Turning to Srinagar – Again . 26 June 2021 . The Wire.
  21. News: The Resistance Front (TRF): Major Challenge for Kashmir Security Post Article 370, Behind Anantnag Gunfight . . 14 September 2023 . 16 September 2023.
  22. News: 14 September 2023 . What is The Resistance Front, responsible for killing of 3 security officers in J&K's Anantnag? . 16 September 2023 . Firstpost.
  23. Web site: Secularization of Militancy in Kashmir: Myth or Reality? Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses . 2024-01-24 . www.idsa.in.
  24. News: Ashiq . Peerzada . The Resistance Front Faceless killers in the Valley . . 9 October 2021 . 16 September 2023.
  25. Web site: Kupwara encounter: 5 soldiers killed as Army fights infiltrators in north Kashmir . 2023-09-13 . India Today . en.
  26. Web site: J&K: Three CRPF jawans killed, 2 injured in militant attack in Sopore, LeT module claims responsibility . 2023-09-13 . India Today . en.
  27. Web site: Kashmir: 5 security forces and 2 rebels killed in a gun battle . 2023-09-13 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  28. Web site: 2020-05-05 . Caught in crossfire, handicapped Handwara boy laid to rest at Baramulla – The Real Kashmir News . 2023-09-13 . en-US.
  29. Web site: J&K policeman killed, another 2 injured in militant attack in Pulwama . 2023-09-14 . India Today . en.
  30. Web site: 2020-06-10 . 'What Was His Fault?': Family And Neighbors Mourn Kashmiri Pandit Sarpanch Killed By Suspected Militants . 2023-09-13 . HuffPost . en-US.
  31. Web site: Photo of toddler sitting on his grandfather's body angers Kashmir . 2023-09-13 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  32. Web site: Mushtaq . Tasavur . 2020-07-09 . Bandipora Attack: The Complete Story . 2023-09-13 . . en-GB.
  33. Web site: Prominent Kashmiri lawyer-activist shot dead in Srinagar . 2023-09-13 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  34. Web site: gk-news-network . 2020-11-02 . Attack on BJP leader in Ganderbal 3 militant associates arrested: Police . 2023-09-13 . Greater Kashmir . en.
  35. News: 2020-10-30 . 3 BJP workers shot dead in Jammu & Kashmir; Resistance Front claims responsibility . The Economic Times . 2023-09-13 . 0013-0389.
  36. Web site: 2 Army, 1 BSF soldiers killed in ongoing operation at LoC in J&K's Kupwara . 2023-09-13 . India Today . en.
  37. Web site: Three CRPF jawans injured in grenade attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal . 2023-09-13 . India Today . en.
  38. Web site: 2022-06-28 . Violence in Kashmir: Why a Spike in Killings Signals an Ominous New Trend . 2023-09-13 . www.crisisgroup.org . en.
  39. Web site: PTI . 2021-02-19 . 2 J&K policemen killed in militant attack in Srinagar's Baghat . 2023-09-14 . ThePrint . en-US.
  40. Web site: Sopore Militant Attack: Injured Municipal Councillor Succumbs To Injuries . 2023-09-14 . The Wire.
  41. Web site: PTI . 2021-04-01 . Policeman killed in militant attack on residence of BJP leader Anwar Ahmad in Srinagar . 2023-09-14 . ThePrint . en-US.
  42. Web site: 2021-06-22 . CID Inspector Shot Dead In Nowgam . 2023-09-14 . Kashmir Observer . en-US.
  43. Web site: Majid, DHNS . Zulfikar . Policeman, his wife, daughter shot dead by militants in J&K's Pulwama . 2023-09-14 . Deccan Herald . en.
  44. Web site: Desk . GK Web . 2021-08-07 . Cop killed, two others injured in militant attack in Kulgam . 2023-09-14 . Greater Kashmir . en.
  45. Web site: Kashmiri Pandit businessman shot by unidentified gunmen in Srinagar . 2023-09-14 . India Today . en.
  46. Web site: Two Kashmir schoolteachers shot dead as civilian killings spike . 2023-09-14 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  47. Web site: NETWORK . GK NEWS . 2021-10-09 . 2 policemen injured in Kulgam militant attack . 2023-09-14 . Greater Kashmir . en.
  48. News: Singh . Vijaita . Centre declares The Resistance Front a terrorist organisation . The Hindu . 5 January 2023 . 16 September 2023.
  49. News: Lavania . Sudeep . Why Pakistan-backed The Resistance Front has become biggest headache of security forces in Kashmir . India Today . 14 September 2023 . 16 September 2023.

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