'False, hasty & part of an orchestrated campaign': LeT terror proxy TRF backtracks; denies responsibility of Pahalgam attack

Time of India

26-04-2025

The Resistance Front
(TRF), a terror outfit widely regarded as a proxy of the Pakistan-based
Lashkar-e-Taiba
(LeT), has denied involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead. In a statement circulated on social media, TRF refuted its earlier claim of responsibility for the massacre.
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'TRF unequivocally denies any involvement in the Pahalgam incident. Any attribution of this act to TRF is false and hasty,' the group said in the message. It further alleged that an unauthorised communication had been posted on one of its digital platforms due to a 'coordinated cyber intrusion.'
The group claimed that an internal review had found indications of external tampering. 'Early indicators suggest fingerprints of Indian cyber-intelligence operatives,' TRF alleged, implying that the initial claim of responsibility was planted following a breach in their communications network.
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The outfit added that it was undertaking a "full internal investigation" to determine the source of the purported breach.
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TRF had earlier this week issued a message claiming responsibility for the deadly attack, which targeted civilians at the tourist-frequented Baisaran meadows in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. However, the latest statement marks a sharp backtrack.
ET couldn't independently verify the message released by the terrorist outfit.
The
Pahalgam attack
is one of the deadliest civilian-targeted terror incidents in the Valley in recent years, sparking widespread condemnation across the country.
Jammu and Kashmir Police intensifies anti-terror efforts
Meanwhile, in India, the Jammu and Kashmir Police are working to intensify anti-terror efforts in the aftermath of the violent Pahalgam attack.
Security operations have been ramped up across Anantnag district following the attack, with Anantnag Police coordinating closely with the Army, CRPF, and other agencies, according to an ANI report.
The assault on April 22, which struck the tourist destination of Baisaran meadow, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and left several others injured.
Since the attack, search and cordon operations have been expanded, with forces conducting day-and-night raids in multiple areas to track down those linked to terror networks. Officials said that around 175 individuals have been detained so far for questioning.
In an effort to tighten security, authorities have increased the number of Mobile Vehicle Check Points (MVCPs) across the district, aiming to detect suspicious movement and enhance public safety.
Security forces have also intensified Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs), staged ambushes, and boosted patrolling efforts, particularly in forested areas where terrorists could be hiding.
Anantnag Police said they remain committed, alongside other security forces, to restoring normalcy and preventing any further disruption. They have appealed to residents to stay alert and report any unusual activity to the nearest police station.
At the same time, heightened security measures are in place in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri region. Intensive vehicle checks are underway along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway, with security personnel monitoring for any suspicious behavior.
Additional troops have been deployed across key areas to deter potential threats.
On Friday, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar for the first time since the Pahalgam attack. During his visit, he reviewed the ground situation in the Union Territory and received briefings on counter-terror operations as well as on the activities of the
Pakistan
Army along the Line of Control (LoC).