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Hans India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
From dossier to designation: How India's diplomacy exposed TRF's Pakistan nexus
Bengaluru: The Resistance Front was quick to claim responsibility following the Pahalgam attack in which 26 persons lost their lives. However, in no time, it was the Pakistan establishment that made the TRF withdraw responsibility, and this was out of fear that India might move the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Pakistan has, with great difficulty, wriggled out of the Grey list of the FATF and in the current economic situation, the country finds itself in, it cannot afford to be on that list once more. Before the TRF was declared a global terror entity by the United States, there was lobbying at the highest levels by Pakistan to prevent this move. Any indication of a TRF involvement in the attacks would be a direct implication for Pakistan. Having this outfit declared a global terror outfit by the United States was important for India, especially in the aftermath of the ghastly Pahalgam attack. In May, China helped Pakistan and ensured that the TRF is not named in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). While Pakistan continued to lobby, India indulged in some high-level diplomacy, which eventually led to the decision by the US. Since the birth of this outfit, which is a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, India began preparing a detailed dossier. The outfit posed as a home-grown one and initially only deployed the locals of Jammu and Kashmir in attacks. It spoke about the banes behind the decision to revoke Article 370 and also swore to protect local interests. However, in the Pahalgam attack, the gloves were off, and the investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) managed to establish that there were three terrorists of Pakistan origin involved in the attack. This explains the reason why the Pakistanis were panicky about having this outfit declared a global terror group. The diplomatic charge was led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who provided detailed dossiers on the outfit prepared by the NIA, Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing and Jammu and Kashmir police. The dossiers were presented before the United States and the 1267 Committee of the United Nations. Misri, during his visit to the US on May 27-29, presented the dossier to the US State Department. The same dossier was also submitted to the UN in New York. The dossier said that Sheikh Sajjad Gul alias Sajjad Ahmed Sheikh, the Kashmiri face of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, was chosen by the ISI to lead this outfit. The TRF has been involved in a series of attacks, including targeted killings in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The attacks were concentrated mainly in central and south Kashmir. In 2023, it carried out a grenade attack in Central Kashmir in which a Jammu and Kashmir police party was ambushed. Similar such attacks have been quoted in the dossier. The dossier was updated with the details relating to the Pahalgam attack. Coming to the funding part of it, the dossier speaks about Parvez Ahmed Sheikh, a former doctor and brother of Gul. He had moved to Saudi Arabia before settling in Pakistan. Since then, he has been a primary fundraiser for the Lashkar-e-Tayiba in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the US decision, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar thanked the Trump administration. 'Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Friday. 'These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrate the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack," Jaishankar said. The next move by India would be at the FATF. The investigations have revealed several details about Pakistan's involvement in not just providing logistic and material support to The Resistance Front, but financial assistance as well. Pakistan's over-insistence that it wants the TRF mention being avoided at the UNSC, in itself, is suspicious. While it may have managed to dodge the issue at the UNSC, thanks to China, it may not have a free run at the FATF. Officials in New Delhi are likely to take up the issue in October. The plenary meetings of the FATF are usually held every year in October, February and June. Pakistan was removed from the Grey List in October 2022 after being on it since 2018. India will continue to raise concerns about Pakistan's failure to take adequate action against cross-border terrorism. The October meeting would be challenging for Pakistan as there are indications that the country may face renewed scrutiny and a potential return to the Grey List. India is set to present evidence during the next plenary about Pakistan's continued support for terrorist groups. Armed with a dossier, a designation by the United States and India's slick diplomacy, Pakistan may soon face the heat at the Financial Action Task Force again.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Greylist exit in sight: SA braces for make-or-break Financial Action Task Force inspection
South Africa is set to take the final step toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force greylist Image: File photo South Africa is set to take the final step toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force greylist, with an international assessment team scheduled to arrive in the country next week for an on-site evaluation. The FATF Africa Joint Group will visit South Africa on July 29 and 30, 2025, to verify progress made in strengthening the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems. IOL previously reported that the country was placed on the greylist due to its failure to adhere to the FATF's requirements in dealing with anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing of terrorism (CFT). This visit is the final requirement before the FATF decides at its October plenary whether the country can be removed from the greylist. Since being greylisted in 2023, the country has worked hard to complete 22 action items required by the FATF These include improving investigations and prosecutions of serious money laundering and terrorist financing cases, enhancing transparency around company ownership and enforcing stronger penalties for violations. Earlier this year, the watchdog also confirmed South Africa had substantially completed the Action Plan, allowing the on-site visit to proceed. 'At its June 2025 Plenary, the FATF made the initial determination that South Africa has substantially completed its action plan and warrants an on-site assessment to verify that the implementation of AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future,' FATF said. During a media briefing last week, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni spoke about the upcoming FATF inspection, saying it was important for the country to be removed from the list and expressed hope that South Africans would behave. "The FATF inspection date, they are coming on the 29th and 30th of July 2025, so I hope South Africans will behave, the visitors will be here, we need to get out of the greylisting, it's important for all of us that we," Ntshavheni said. IOL Business [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Greylist exit in sight: SA braces for make-or-break Financial Action Task Force inspection
South Africa is set to take the final step toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force greylist Image: File photo South Africa is set to take the final step toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force greylist, with an international assessment team scheduled to arrive in the country next week for an on-site evaluation. The FATF Africa Joint Group will visit South Africa on July 29 and 30, 2025, to verify progress made in strengthening the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems. IOL previously reported that the country was placed on the greylist due to its failure to adhere to the FATF's requirements in dealing with anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing of terrorism (CFT). This visit is the final requirement before the FATF decides at its October plenary whether the country can be removed from the greylist. Since being greylisted in 2023, the country has worked hard to complete 22 action items required by the FATF These include improving investigations and prosecutions of serious money laundering and terrorist financing cases, enhancing transparency around company ownership and enforcing stronger penalties for violations. Earlier this year, the watchdog also confirmed South Africa had substantially completed the Action Plan, allowing the on-site visit to proceed. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ [WATCH] "I hope South Africans will behave; visitors will be here." Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the team monitoring SA's greylisting will be in the country at the end of July. #Newzroom405 — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 16, 2025 'At its June 2025 Plenary, the FATF made the initial determination that South Africa has substantially completed its action plan and warrants an on-site assessment to verify that the implementation of AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future,' FATF said. During a media briefing last week, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni spoke about the upcoming FATF inspection, saying it was important for the country to be removed from the list and expressed hope that South Africans would behave. "The FATF inspection date, they are coming on the 29th and 30th of July 2025, so I hope South Africans will behave, the visitors will be here, we need to get out of the greylisting, it's important for all of us that we," Ntshavheni said. IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
From privacy needs to internet bans: What's spurring the growth of VPN services?
In a report released this month, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)—the global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing—raised concerns about how virtual private networks (VPNs) are being misused to facilitate terror financing and evade surveillance. A VPN is a way to access the internet without revealing your IP address or leaving behind a browsing history, while encrypting your data, and sidestepping website blocks and firewalls. VPNs are widely used—for business and personal reasons, with intentions noble and ill. On the one hand, VPNs serve as vital tools for individuals in countries with strict internet censorship, enabling access to restricted content. On the other hand, they can be exploited for nefarious purposes. The FATF cited the 2022 attack on security personnel at the Gorakhnath Temple in Uttar Pradesh as a case in point: the lone assailant reportedly used a VPN to transfer funds between Indian and foreign bank accounts and to conceal his digital communications. His purchase of the VPN service later became a crucial investigative lead. Approximately 31% (or 1.75 billion) of the world's internet users utilise VPNs, with India, China, and Indonesia leading the way. A bulk of them use free VPNs, which may not offer true anonymity. There is an active market for paid VPN services. In 2022, it generated revenues of approximately $31.6 billion and is projected to grow to around $125 billion by 2032—a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%. A survey of US adults shows that nearly half used a VPN in 2023. Furthermore, between 2021 and 2023, a larger proportion of users utilised VPNs on their personal devices. Protecting privacy Much of VPN usage on personal devices is driven by a desire for privacy. But VPNs are also used creatively—for instance, a Netflix subscriber in India can connect to a US server via a VPN to access the American Netflix library. While entertainment is one motivation, privacy remains the stronger driver. A 2020 survey by Top10VPN, a research firm focused on VPN services, found that users are more concerned about safeguarding their digital footprints than entertainment. For example, half of the top 10 ranked VPN apps in the Taiwan App Store had links to mainland China. Simon Migliano, head of research at says: 'While internet shutdowns and censorship have been the catalyst for recent surges in VPN use in authoritarian countries, more democratic nations have seen a sharp increase in VPN adoption for a multitude of different reasons…approach to privacy stem from a more general worry, rather than from an understanding of data collection practices across online industries." Covid spike In terms of protecting their privacy, internet users have four options: delete cookies, use a private browsing window, VPN, and ad-blockers. In the same Top10VPN survey in 42 countries, only 16% of survey respondents had used all four options. Further, about one-fourth said they used no privacy tools. The survey said: 'While a need for privacy dictates VPN adoption, the tools themselves escape the same scrutiny. Users look at speed and quality of connection when shopping for VPNs before they look at privacy policies." Google Trends data from India backs this up. Interest in VPNs surged during the two pandemic-induced lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, when remote work became the norm. The peak came in May 2021, during the country's second major lockdown—marking the highest search interest for VPNs in the past decade. Internet shutdowns Between January 2020 and May 2025, India witnessed nine sharp spikes in Google search interest for VPN services. Five of these coincided with the covid-19 lockdowns. The remaining four surges occurred in the context of socio-political unrest—three of them directly linked to internet shutdowns. In March 2020, search interest jumped in Jammu & Kashmir when some restrictions on internet access were temporarily eased following a prolonged curfew that began after a change in the region's political status in August 2019. On 4 March 2020, some curbs were temporarily lifted, and interest in VPNs shot up. Two other significant upticks occurred in Manipur and Meghalaya during periods when mobile internet services were suspended, triggering a rush toward VPNs to bypass the shutdowns. The most recent spike came in May 2025, following a terror attack in Pahalgam. In response, India imposed a blanket ban on all Pakistan-origin content on streaming platforms. The move drove many users to VPNs as a workaround. In a world turning right in political ideology, seeing an increase in armed conflict, and grappling with technology on an unprecedented scale, expect VPNs to thrive. is a database and search engine for public data
News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
US Declares Pakistan's TRF a Terror Group Major Win for India at FATF? The Brass Tacks
The U.S. has designated Pakistan's TRF as a foreign terrorist organization, marking a significant step in counter-terrorism efforts. This move strengthens India's case for grey-listing Pakistan at the FATF, amid ongoing tensions and diplomatic challenges. In a major diplomatic and counter-terrorism development, the United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF)—a Pakistan-backed outfit operating in Kashmir—as a foreign terrorist organization. This move marks a strong endorsement of India's long-standing claims about Pakistan's role in harboring and financing cross-border designation not only freezes TRF assets and imposes travel bans but also strengthens India's case to push for Pakistan's grey-listing at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The development comes amid ongoing Indo-Pak tensions, international scrutiny over terror financing, and India's growing strategic influence. News18 Mobile App -
