The Resistance Front (TRF): The Rise of a New-Age Militant Group in Kashmir

In recent years, Kashmir, the volatile region at the heart of a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, has witnessed a new chapter in insurgency with the emergence of a militant group called The Resistance Front (TRF). This group has increasingly claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir, prompting fresh security concerns and deepening regional tensions.

Although initially described as a fringe group, TRF has evolved into a major security threatwith sophisticated online propaganda strategies and deadly operational capabilities. Its recent high-profile attacks have thrust it into the spotlight, reviving fears of renewed large-scale militancy in the region.

This article offers a comprehensive, SEO-optimized analysis of TRF’s origins, operations, ideology, affiliations, and geopolitical implications.

What Is The Resistance Front (TRF)?

The Resistance Front, or TRF, first gained public attention in late 2019, shortly after the Indian government abrogated Article 370, which had granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. The move triggered widespread unrest in the region and created fertile ground for the emergence of new militant factions.

Origins and Affiliations

According to Indian intelligence and international security analysts, TRF is widely believed to be a proxy organization for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—a Pakistan-based militant group banned by several countries, including the United States and India. TRF is thought to have been established to provide a more “secular” and “localized” branding for militancy in Kashmir, distancing itself from overt religious terminology.

In January 2023, TRF was officially designated as a terrorist organization under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Indian authorities accused the group of:

• Recruiting Kashmiri youth for armed militancy through online platforms,
• Facilitating cross-border infiltration from Pakistan,
• Smuggling arms and narcotics into Indian-administered Kashmir,
• Targeting civilians, security personnel, and local political leaders.

TRF’s Digital and Tactical Evolution

Unlike traditional insurgent outfits, TRF operates largely in a decentralized, digital-first manner. It extensively uses encrypted messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to spread propaganda, issue warnings, and claim attacks. Many of these messages are deleted quickly, making independent verification difficult.

TRF’s strategy appears to focus on psychological warfare, online radicalization, and selective targeted killings to create fear and destabilize the region. This model mirrors contemporary global jihadist trends seen in parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Key Attacks and Operations

Since its emergence, TRF has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks, including:

• April 2020: A four-day-long gun battle near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keran sector of Kupwara district, resulting in the deaths of Indian soldiers and militants.
• June 2022: The killing of a bank manager in Kulgam district, initially claimed via Telegram, though later deleted.
• 2021-2024: Multiple assassinations of police officers, minority Hindus, and Sikh educators, often accused by TRF of being informants or “collaborators” with Indian security forces.

Most recently, TRF claimed a deadly attack in 2025, marking the most devastating militant incident in the region since the Pulwama bombing in 2019.

TRF’s Justifications and Ideology

TRF maintains that its actions are part of a legitimate resistance movement against what it views as the illegal occupation and demographic manipulation of Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian state.

In its statements, the group has accused the Indian government of:

• Settling non-Kashmiris in the region to alter its Muslim-majority demographic character,
• Using domicile laws as tools for “colonization”,
• Deploying heavy militarization to suppress political dissent.

A statement attributed to TRF recently read:

“These outsiders pose as tourists but come with domicile certificates and a settler’s mindset. We will resist all forms of occupation—legal, military, or demographic.”

The Case of Sheikh Sajjad Gul

One of the alleged top operatives of TRF is Sheikh Sajjad Gul, who has been individually designated as a terrorist under India’s UAPA. He is believed to operate from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, coordinating online activities and instructing on-ground operatives across Kashmir Valley.

Indian intelligence agencies suggest that Gul’s modus operandi involves cyber recruitment, encrypted communications, and virtual training—a shift from traditional guerrilla warfare methods used in past decades.

India-Pakistan Tensions

India has repeatedly blamed Pakistan’s intelligence services for supporting TRF and similar groups. Pakistan denies these claims, asserting that it only provides diplomatic and moral support to the people of Kashmir. The emergence of TRF, however, has further strained relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Impact on Civilians

The rise of TRF has led to increased fear among minority communities, particularly Hindus and Sikhs, who have been specifically targeted. Civil society organizations have warned that these attacks may lead to mass migration and further communal polarization.

A New Era of Militancy in Kashmir

The Resistance Front (TRF) represents a new model of insurgency in Kashmir decentralized, digitized, and ideologically adapted to the post-Article 370 landscape. While it remains difficult to gauge the full extent of its capabilities, its growing presence signals a shift in militant tactics that could have long-term consequences for regional stability.

As India grapples with this emerging threat, the international community must remain vigilant. Addressing the Kashmir conflict will require not only counterterrorism strategies but also meaningful political engagement that addresses the underlying grievances fueling militancy.