NEW DELHI: In the volatile region of Jammu and Kashmir, where peace and terror walk a thin line, Pakistani terror outfits are shifting gears once again. With the US recently banning Pakistan-sponsored terror outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF), Islamabad has found itself scrambling for a new face for its terror operations. That’s where Tehreeke-Taliban Kashmir (TTK), a newer entity comes into play, raising the spectre of escalated tensions in the region. Intelligence reports indicate that TTK, an emergent Pakistan-backed terror group, has been rapidly groomed to replace the TRF, recently blacklisted by the US as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity.
This move follows a significant move in July 2025, when the US Department of State identified TRF, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as directly responsible for the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The attack, termed as the deadliest strike against civilians in recent years, left 26 people dead. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the United States’ move to designate TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and SDGT, calling it a “strong affirmation” of robust IndiaUS counter-terrorism efforts.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and commitment to international cooperation against terror networks and their proxies. Further strengthening India’s diplomatic push, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explicitly called TRF “a front of Lashkar-e-Taiba,” revealing India’s ongoing efforts at the United Nations Security Council to have TRF officially listed as a terror entity. The MEA also highlighted and criticised Pakistan’s persistent attempts to obstruct these efforts at the UN, notably Islamabad’s pressure to remove references to TRF from Security Council statements post-Pahalgam attack. In a sharp diplomatic rebuke, EAM Jaishankar drew direct links between Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s extremist ideological outlook and the radicalisation evident in terror attacks such as Pahalgam, describing Munir’s rhetoric and actions as dangerous and inflammatory.
India’s diplomatic messaging remains unequivocal—“terrorism and talks cannot go together,” the MEA reiterated, affirming that any future bilateral dialogue with Pakistan hinges on its unconditional cessation of support for cross-border terrorism and its commitment to vacate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. With TRF now facing intensified scrutiny and isolation, a new chapter in Pakistan’s proxy strategy appears to be unfolding. Islamabad is reportedly positioning TTK as its newest proxy. The group, in a recent inflammatory press release dated July 16, 2025, explicitly threatened coordinated attacks across Kashmir, even naming specific targets including Indian security forces, BJP-RSS cadres, and Israeli citizens and diplomatic personnel.
The statement chillingly warns of a systematic campaign to target BJP and RSS offices, with particularly graphic threats of violence against their members. Alarmingly, TTK’s communication hints at a potential imminent attack aimed at the Amarnath Yatra, Kashmir’s revered pilgrimage, currently witnessing a surge of devotees. Analysts view these statements as not just threats, but calculated moves within Pakistan’s terror strategy—pre-propagating narratives of “false flag” operations, aimed at blaming India for orchestrating violence on its own soil. The goal, experts say, is to undermine India’s international standing and create confusion, further complicating the already tense geopolitical dynamics. India’s security establishment has been on heightened alert following the revelations of Pakistan’s tactical shifts. TRF’s recent actions, particularly after the April massacre in Pahalgam, had already signalled a disturbing evolution in terror methodology. Reports indicated that the attackers, trained under the direct command of LeT handlers in Pakistan, targeted tourists, deploying advanced military-grade weapons like M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles, a sophistication previously not typical of localised Kashmiri militancy. Pakistan’s narrative warfare, too, has seen a marked sophistication.
TRF, and now TTK, operate not merely through violent assaults but through extensive online propaganda aimed at influencing international opinion and local sentiment. Platforms like KashmirFight. com and encrypted communication channels such as ChirpWire, Telegram, and BiP have been systematically leveraged to spread misinformation, propagate radical ideologies, and claim responsibility for attacks. The groups are also known to strategically deny their involvement after major attacks, instead labelling these as Indian “false flag” operations designed to malign Pakistan and its proxies.
The TTK’s latest threat explicitly references India’s internal security agencies, alleging that the Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) are orchestrating covert operations to justify military crackdowns. The reference to Operation “TRINETRA,” a purported false flag operation attributed to Indian intelligence by TRF in earlier propaganda, has resurfaced, reinforcing the hypothesis of coordinated disinformation efforts. Further, the threat issued by TTK explicitly aligns with Pakistan’s established strategy of internationalising Kashmir. The group calls for the mobilisation of Muslims, Dalits, and Sikhs across India, attempting to exploit internal communal fault lines, a tactic which Indian officials term a dangerous precedent. It points to the deepening complexities of Pakistan’s hybrid warfare approach, blending traditional terrorism with information warfare.
Security experts observe that TTK’s stated objectives align dangerously with the broader geopolitical ambitions of Pakistan. Just as TRF’s emergence post-Article 370 abrogation in 2019 was presented as a “local resistance,” TTK’s recent press statements similarly attempt to portray themselves as “homegrown,” despite clear evidence linking their operational command structures to Pakistani military and intelligence. The Indian security apparatus is unequivocal in its stance. Following the brutal Pahalgam incident, India made its position clear, declaring that “any act of terrorism will be considered an act of war.” Pakistan-sponsored terror outfits seem intent on challenging this stand, testing India’s resolve and international patience. With the upcoming Amarnath pilgrimage season witnessing unprecedented numbers of visitors, the threat cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric. In its recent inflammatory press release, TTK propagated claims alleging the presence of Israeli drones in Kashmir, a narrative viewed by Indian security agencies as deliberate misinformation aimed at internationalising the conflict. India’s counter-terrorism response has evolved strategically.
Operation Sindoor, launched as a calibrated military response following the Pahalgam attack, targeted terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC), affirming India’s commitment to defend civilian lives and sovereignty. It was also recognised by the US as a legitimate and proportional action, giving India added diplomatic leverage in addressing Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The international community’s explicit recognition of TRF as a terror entity and acknowledgment of Pakistan’s involvement significantly bolsters India’s diplomatic efforts. Yet, India’s security agencies warn against complacency, recognising that the emergence of TTK signals yet another chapter in Pakistan’s persistent campaign to destabilise Kashmir. Defence and security establishment insiders argue that India must mount a twopronged response: amplify its diplomatic campaign to expose TTK as a new front of Pakistan’s terror network and bolster domestic initiatives to counter radicalisation. Isolating Pakistan globally and fostering local resilience are essential to blunt Pakistan’s evolving strategy. As the situation unfolds, the Indian government finds itself balancing strategic restraint with resolute preparedness.
The clear message from New Delhi is that terror— under any name, banner, or disguise— will be met with unequivocal force and diplomatic resolve. Yet, Pakistan’s willingness to brazenly sponsor new terror outfits like TTK in the immediate aftermath of TRF’s global condemnation points to the persistence of its terror strategy.
India’s diplomatic and military communities, as well as Kashmir’s civilian population, must remain vigilant, anticipating new challenges on a geopolitical chessboard fraught with dangerous moves. In the end, peace in Kashmir will depend on India’s strategic acumen and sustained global pressure against Pakistan’s terror proxies, ensuring that groups like TTK fail before they begin.
Ashish Singh is an awardwinning senior journalist with over 18 years of experience in defence and strategic affairs.
