The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people—mostly tourists—dead on April 22, 2025, has sent shockwaves across India and the world. As investigations unfolded, officials identified Sheikh Sajjad Gul, the elusive head of The Resistance Front (TRF), as the chief architect behind this heinous act. Gul’s story is a chilling reminder of how terror networks operate, adapt, and inflict violence, exploiting both local grievances and international support.
Who is Sheikh Sajjad Gul?
Sheikh Sajjad Gul, also known as Sajjad Ahmed Sheikh, is a 50-year-old Kashmiri who has risen through the ranks of militancy to become the head of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF). Gul is currently believed to be operating from Rawalpindi, Pakistan—a cantonment town known for being the headquarters of the Pakistan Army and a safe haven for several terror masterminds. Under the patronage of the LeT and the guidance of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Gul has orchestrated a series of deadly attacks in the Kashmir Valley and beyond.
A History of Radicalization and Terror
Gul’s journey into the world of terrorism is marked by a blend of education, opportunity and extremist indoctrination. Born and raised in Srinagar, he pursued higher education, completing an MBA in Bangalore and later a lab technician course in Kerala. Upon returning to Kashmir, he opened a diagnostic laboratory—a front that would later serve as a logistical hub for terror activities.
His involvement with terror groups began early. In 2002, Gul was apprehended by the Special Cell of Delhi Police at Nizamuddin Railway Station with 5 kilograms of RDX. Investigations revealed he was conducting reconnaissance and plotting serial blasts in the national capital. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2003. After his release in 2017, Gul moved to Pakistan, where he was quickly absorbed into the ISI’s plans for Kashmir.
The Rise of The Resistance Front (TRF)
In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack in February 2019, Pakistan faced increasing international scrutiny for its support of terror outfits like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). To counter global pressure and give terrorism in Kashmir a ‘local’ veneer, the ISI masterminded the creation of The Resistance Front (TRF) in 2019, appointing Gul as its head.
TRF was designed to project an indigenous face to the ongoing insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, masking its deep connections to Pakistan-based groups. Under Gul’s leadership, TRF has been responsible for a series of targeted killings, grenade attacks and ambushes across Central and South Kashmir. Notable incidents include attacks on police personnel in Bijbehra (Anantnag), assaults in Gagangir and the Z-Morh Tunnel in Ganderbal and a string of targeted assassinations between 2020 and 2024.
The Pahalgam Massacre: Planning and Execution
The Pahalgam terror attack stands out for its brutality and calculated execution. According to officials, Gul was the mastermind who directed the operation from Pakistan. The TRF operatives, acting on his instructions, targeted a group of tourists in Pahalgam, asking their religious identity before shooting 25 of them at point-blank range. A local tourist guide who attempted to intervene was also killed.
The attack was meticulously planned, with communications and logistical support traced back to Gul. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already designated him a terrorist in April 2022, placing a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head. The Pahalgam massacre not only devastated the victims’ families but also crippled the local tourism industry, pushing thousands of Kashmiris into economic distress.
A Family Tied to Terror
Sheikh Sajjad Gul’s family also has a history of involvement in militancy. His brother, a former doctor at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar, became a terrorist in the 1990s. He later migrated to Saudi Arabia and then Pakistan, where he is now reportedly engaged in terror funding activities in collaboration with fugitives in Gulf countries. This transnational network highlights the deep and persistent connections between local militancy in Kashmir and global jihadist financing.
ISI’s Strategy: Using Local Faces for Proxy War
Gul’s elevation to the leadership of TRF is emblematic of the ISI’s evolving strategy in Kashmir. By installing a Kashmiri as the head of a terrorist outfit, Pakistan seeks to obscure its direct involvement and present the insurgency as a homegrown movement. This tactic complicates counter-terrorism efforts, as it blurs the lines between local grievances and foreign-sponsored terrorism.
The ISI’s support provides TRF and similar groups with resources, training, and safe havens, allowing them to sustain operations despite crackdowns by Indian security forces. The creation of TRF after the Pulwama incident was a direct response to global condemnation, aiming to rebrand terrorism in Kashmir and evade international sanctions.
Impact and Aftermath
The Pahalgam attack has had far-reaching consequences. Beyond the tragic loss of life, it has shattered the sense of security among locals and tourists alike. The region’s tourism industry, a vital source of livelihood for thousands, has been decimated, with business down by over 95% in the weeks following the attack. The psychological impact on survivors and the broader community is profound, fueling anxiety and mistrust.
For Indian security agencies, the attack underscores the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism and the need for continued vigilance. The identification of Sheikh Sajjad Gul as the mastermind is a significant breakthrough, but his continued presence in Pakistan highlights the challenges of bringing such perpetrators to justice.
Mastermind of One of the Deadliest Terror Attacks
Sheikh Sajjad Gul’s trajectory—from an educated professional in Srinagar to the mastermind of one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years—illustrates the complex interplay of ideology, opportunity, and external manipulation that sustains terrorism in Kashmir. His role as the head of TRF, operating under the protection of Pakistan’s ISI, is a stark reminder of the ongoing proxy war being waged against India.
The Pahalgam massacre is not just an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of violence designed to destabilize the region, disrupt communal harmony, and undermine India’s sovereignty. Addressing this challenge requires not only robust security measures but also sustained diplomatic efforts to hold sponsors of terrorism accountable and to address the underlying issues that fuel radicalization.
