Who is Saifullah Khalid, the suspected mastermind of Pahalgam terror attack

A horrific terrorist attack in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has left at least 26 tourists dead and many others injured, sparking widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally. 

 

The Resistance Front (TRF), identified as a front organisation of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for this brutal act. Emerging intelligence points towards Saifullah Khalid, also known as Saifullah Kasuri, as the likely mastermind of this attack.

 

Sources indicate that Saifullah Khalid holds a significant position as the deputy leader within the Lashkar-e-Taiba. He is also reported to have a strong relationship with the notorious Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

 

Allegedly enjoying consistent support from Pakistan, Khalid is believed to operate without hindrance despite his involvement in terrorist activities and numerous attacks. Furthermore, he is accused of actively inciting Pakistani-based militant groups against India and brainwashing young minds.

 

TRF: A proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba

 

The TRF, the group claiming responsibility for the Pahalgam atrocity, was officially outlawed by the Indian government in 2024. The government cited the organization's extensive use of online platforms to recruit both young people and seasoned terrorists to further their violent extremist goals. Additionally, the TRF is reported to be involved in the illicit trafficking of drugs and weapons from Pakistan into Kashmir.

 

Formed in 2019, the TRF emerged as an alternative facade for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani terrorist group previously banned for its involvement in the devastating 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Sheikh Sajjad Gul, the chief commander of the TRF, was designated as a terrorist under India's Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) of 1967. The TRF is infamous for its brutal killings and attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and even political figures.

 

The suspected role of Saifullah Khalid as the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack highlights the complex and dangerous network of terrorism supported by Pakistan that utilises proxy organizations like the TRF to execute their destructive operations. 

India