In a deeply controversial statement that has sparked outrage across India, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar defended The Resistance Front (TRF), the terror outfit behind the recent deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Speaking to the media in Islamabad on Monday, Dar questioned the evidence presented by Indian security agencies despite TRF openly claiming responsibility for the attack.
What Happened in Pahalgam?
On 18 July 2025, TRF militants ambushed a security convoy in the Pahalgam region, killing four security personnel and injuring several others. TRF, known as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), released a statement on its Telegram channel taking responsibility and vowed further attacks to “liberate Kashmir”.
However, in an unexpected defence, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said, “India keeps blaming TRF without credible evidence. We have not seen any solid proof that TRF was involved in this incident.”
India’s Reaction
Indian security analysts and officials swiftly condemned Dar’s comments. Experts highlighted how TRF has long been recognised as a shadow outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba, created to portray an indigenous Kashmiri militant image while remaining under Pakistan-based handlers.
Retired Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain, former GOC of the Srinagar-based XV Corps, stated,
“This denial reflects Pakistan’s consistent duplicity. Despite TRF’s public claim, they continue shielding it to avoid global counter-terrorism scrutiny against Lashkar-e-Taiba.”
TRF’s Role as Lashkar’s Proxy
The Resistance Front emerged in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370. It claims to be an indigenous armed resistance group but is widely known to be run by Lashkar operatives to bypass global terror finance sanctions on LeT.
The United States recently designated TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), citing its attacks on civilians and security forces in Kashmir. The US Treasury Department’s official note described TRF as “nothing but a rebranded version of LeT to continue violent activities with plausible deniability for Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s Consistent Terror Denial Policy
Analysts believe Ishaq Dar’s comments fit a pattern of Pakistan’s state policy:
- Denying direct terror links by calling groups like TRF “Kashmiri resistance”.
- Questioning evidence even when terror outfits themselves claim responsibility.
- Projecting India’s counter-terror operations as oppression, especially after major attacks.
Former RAW officer Nitin Gokhale tweeted,
“This is classic ISI strategy—maintain deniability while these groups carry out cross-border terror. Dar’s defence of TRF despite public claims exposes the charade.”
International Ramifications
Dar’s remarks also undermine Pakistan’s attempts to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list permanently. Indian officials are expected to highlight these statements in upcoming diplomatic engagements to reinforce Pakistan’s failure in dismantling terror networks operating from its soil.
Impact on J&K Security Situation
Intelligence agencies warn that TRF may intensify attacks in coming weeks under Lashkar’s strategic direction. Multiple inputs suggest infiltration attempts along the LoC and sleeper cells planning attacks on security installations and civilian targets to instil fear.
Conclusion
While TRF continues to portray itself as a homegrown Kashmiri resistance movement, its operational and financial links to Lashkar-e-Taiba remain clear to global counter-terror experts. Ishaq Dar’s defence of TRF despite its public admission of the Pahalgam attack has not only angered Indian security circles but also reaffirmed suspicions about Pakistan’s continuing patronage of proxy terror outfits to destabilise Jammu & Kashmir.
This latest development is likely to deepen Indo-Pak tensions at a time when backchannel talks had seen some cautious optimism. For India, Dar’s remarks will strengthen its resolve to dismantle TRF’s networks and expose Pakistan’s duplicity on the international stage.
