In recent years, a strategic shift has been observed in the branding of terror groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Previously prominent Islamist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) have given way to newer outfits like The Resistance Front (TRF), People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), and United Liberation Front (ULF). These groups appear secular and politically neutral on the surface, but in reality, they are mere fronts for Pakistan-sponsored jihadist outfits.

This transformation has been particularly noticeable since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, a move that altered the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. The shift necessitated new tactics by Pakistan and its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to continue their proxy war while avoiding global scrutiny, especially from institutions like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The Article 370 Effect: A Turning Point

The abrogation of Article 370 stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status under the Indian Constitution. This development disrupted the traditional narrative used by terror groups which relied heavily on the sentiment surrounding the region’s autonomy. With this narrative weakened, these groups were forced to restructure and rebrand themselves to maintain relevance and operational effectiveness.

TRF was one of the first such groups to emerge post-370, surfacing in 2019 and deliberately avoiding overt religious terminology in its name and communications. As per Dr. Shalini Chawla of the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), this move was strategically planned to evade the FATF’s scrutiny, which had placed Pakistan on the grey list for its failure to act against terror financing.

Avoiding Global Scrutiny Through Rebranding

The main motivation behind the rebranding of these outfits is to bypass international designations and economic sanctions. Groups like LeT and JeM have been designated terrorist organizations by the United Nations, the United States, and other global powers. These designations restrict access to financial networks and increase diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.

By creating groups like TRF and PAFF, Pakistan maintains plausible deniability. These new entities claim to be indigenous resistance movements, thereby complicating India’s case at international forums. Despite their rebranded images, they continue to receive training, logistical, and financial support from Pakistan’s ISI.

Shaping a False Narrative of Local Resistance

Another significant reason for this rebranding is to challenge the Indian government’s portrayal of normalcy in Kashmir. By appearing local and secular, these groups present the ongoing militancy as a domestic uprising rather than foreign-sponsored terrorism.

This strategy was evident in reactions to recent terror incidents like the attack in Pahalgam, which was described by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif as “home-grown violence.” This false narrative aims to mislead international observers and portray India as an oppressive regime, further fueling anti-India sentiments globally.

Targeting Youth via Social Media

Recruitment techniques have also evolved significantly. Instead of relying on mosques or seminaries, today’s rebranded outfits use encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and Instagram. These platforms allow them to reach and radicalize vulnerable youth with a blend of:

• Manipulated imagery

• Propaganda videos

• Emotionally charged narratives

By highlighting alleged human rights violations, these groups stir discontent and lure recruits with promises of resistance and revenge. Many recruits are disillusioned young people, grappling with economic hardship or personal trauma, making them easy targets.

Unchanged Roots: Training and Funding Still Pakistan-Backed

Despite cosmetic changes, the operational support for these groups remains unchanged. Training camps continue to exist in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Arms, communication tools, and infiltration logistics are all provided by the ISI.

Funding channels also mirror those used by older outfits like LeT and JeM, including:

• Hawala transactions

• Cryptocurrency transfers

• Fake charitable organizations

These terror-financing networks remain robust, channeling money from international sources into Kashmir under the guise of humanitarian aid or legitimate business.

A Dangerous Shift in Asymmetric Warfare

This rebranding marks a new chapter in asymmetric warfare. The primary goal is to muddy the waters, making it harder for India and the global community to draw a clear line between terrorism and resistance. By adopting a secular and political lexicon, these outfits:

• Avoid proscription by international agencies

• Confuse diplomatic channels

• Attract wider sympathy from certain global audiences

Yet, beneath the surface, these groups remain firmly connected to the ideology and operations of radical Islamist networks.

The Challenge Ahead for Indian Security Forces

Indian security agencies now face a more nuanced and complex threat landscape. It’s no longer just about fighting clearly branded terrorist groups but countering hybrid organizations that blur the lines between insurgency and terrorism.

Digital monitoring, community outreach, economic development, and deradicalization efforts will need to be intensified. There is also a growing need for enhanced international cooperation to cut off funding and expose these groups for what they are—terrorist fronts under a new label.

Conclusion

The post-Article 370 landscape in Kashmir has seen the rise of new-age terror outfits that project themselves as secular and indigenous resistance movements, while actually functioning as extensions of banned jihadist networks. This is a deliberate attempt by Pakistan to continue its proxy war under the radar of global watchdogs like FATF. The threat remains real and persistent, merely disguised in a different form. 

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