The Resistance Front: Inside Kashmir’s New-Age Militant Group
The Resistance Front (TRF) is one of the most notable new-age militant groups that have emerged in the volatile region of Jammu and Kashmir since 2019. The organization represents a tactical and ideological shift in how insurgent activities are conducted in the valley. Formed in the aftermath of India’s revocation of Article 370, TRF has quickly grown into a significant player in the region’s security dynamics.
This blog explores the origins, objectives, leadership, notable attacks, and global designations of The Resistance Front, shedding light on how the group evolved and why it poses a complex threat to national security.
Who Founded The Resistance Front?
The Resistance Front was founded by Muhammad Abbas Sheikh and Sheikh Sajjad Gul, with the latter also functioning as its patron and supreme commander. Sheikh Sajjad Gul is a known operative of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has played a central role in rebranding militancy under a more neutral-sounding name like TRF to dodge international scrutiny.
TRF was designed as a proxy to distance itself from banned outfits like LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen, while continuing their operations under a new identity.
Leadership and Command Structure
- Patron & Supreme Commander: Sheikh Sajjad Gul
- Founder: Muhammad Abbas Sheikh
- Current Chief Operational Commander: Basit Ahmed Dar
- Spokesperson: Ahmed Khalid This layered command model helps the group remain resilient even when key figures are neutralized.
Origins and Motives
Notable Attacks and Operations
Since its inception, TRF has been involved in several high-profile attacks across Jammu and Kashmir. Here are some of the most prominent:
- 2020 Keran encounter
- 2020 Handwara encounter
- 2021 Attack on BJPcouncillors in Sopore
- 2022 Sedow Shopian IED attack
- 2023 Anantnag encounter
- 2024 Reasi attack
- 2025 Pahalgam attack
- These incidents underline TRF’s operational capability and its willingness to target both security personnel and political leaders, particularly those aligned with the Indian state.
Hybrid Militancy and Recruitment Tactics
Alliances and External Support
- People’s Anti-Fascist Front
- Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
- Al-Badr (United Liberation Front) These alliances help the organization pool resources, plan coordinated attacks, and amplify its message of anti-India resistance. There are also strong allegations that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) provides logistical and tactical support to TRF, often via Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Active Regions
TRF primarily operates in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Pulwama, Shopian, Sopore, and Anantnag. These areas have long been sensitive to insurgent activity and offer fertile ground for recruitment and mobilization.
Designation and Global Perception
While The Resistance Front presents itself as a grassroots movement, Indian security forces and intelligence agencies classify it as a terrorist organization. In fact, India has officially designated TRF as a terrorist group, citing its deep-rooted connections with Lashkar-e-Taiba and its role in anti-national activities.
Internationally, however, the group’s lack of direct terror designation remains a point of concern. The strategy of hiding under a neutral name has so far helped TRF avoid sanctions that are otherwise applicable to organizations like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Impact on the Kashmir Conflict
TRF’s emergence marks a new phase in the Kashmir insurgency, one that is decentralized, digital, and ideologically fluid. Unlike earlier militant groups, TRF does not operate on religious identity alone. It emphasizes “resistance” and “freedom,” language that can resonate with disaffected youth across ideological lines.
This shift makes it harder for governments and security agencies to tackle the root causes of recruitment and radicalization.
Countermeasures by Indian Security Forces
The Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF have launched multiple counter-insurgency operations targeting TRF operatives. Several of its commanders have been killed in encounters, and the group’s network has been heavily surveilled.
Efforts are also underway to combat online radicalization and engage local youth through civic programs. However, TRF’s ability to constantly regenerate leadership and adapt tactics keeps it a persistent threat.
Conclusion
The Resistance Front is not just another terror outfit—it represents a strategic evolution in modern-day insurgency. With support from established terror organizations and a focus on digital warfare, TRF poses a significant challenge to India’s internal security.
Understanding its structure, leadership, and objectives is critical for formulating effective counterterrorism strategies. While many of its top leaders, like Sheikh Sajjad Gul, remain elusive, the organization’s impact on Kashmir’s peace and political landscape is undeniable.