Terror Ambush in Poonch: PAFF, Jaish-e-Mohammed Proxy, Claims Responsibility for Army Casualties

Five Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in a terror attack in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed by the banned outfit PAFF, a proxy of Jaish-e-Mohammed. The attack, occurring on December 21, prompted a joint operation by the Army and J-K Police. PAFF designated a banned organization by the Home Ministry, is implicated in radicalizing youth and engaging in acts of terrorism across India.

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In a tragic incident on December 21, a terror ambush in Poonch, Jammu, and Kashmir, resulted in the loss of five Indian Army soldiers and left two others injured. The banned outfit People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a proxy of Jaish-e-Mohammed, claimed responsibility for the attack. Promptly responding, the Army and J-K Police initiated a joint search operation to address the aftermath.

PAFF unveiled as an offshoot of JeM, had already been banned by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs earlier this year. The group, established in 2019, has a track record of involvement in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country, as highlighted by the Home Ministry in a response to the Rajya Sabha on March 15.

Arbaz Ahmad Mir, a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was singled out as an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, of 1967, by the Home Ministry. The Ministry's response emphasized PAFF's role in radicalization, recruitment, and training of youth in handling weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Furthermore, the group was accused of issuing threats to Indian security forces, political leaders, and civilians, both physically and through social media.

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The Home Ministry's notification stated, "It has committed and participated in various acts of terrorism in India," justifying the government's decision to declare PAFF a banned organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Notably, this is not the first time PAFF has claimed responsibility for a terror attack. In April of the same year, the outfit acknowledged its involvement in a similar assault on the Indian Army in Poonch, resulting in the loss of five jawans in action. The latest incident underscores the persistent threat posed by such banned outfits to the security and stability of the region.