New Delhi: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global body that monitors terror financing, has strongly condemned the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. In an official statement, the FATF said the Pahalgam attack, along with other recent terror incidents, would not have been possible without the availability of funds and financial support from terrorist backers.
“Terrorist attacks kill, maim and inspire fear around the world. The FATF notes with grave concern and condemns the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. This, and other recent attacks, could not occur without money and the means to move funds between terrorist supporters,” reads the official statement issued by the FATF.
Focus on implementation gaps
While the statement did not name any specific country, it noted that the watchdog is working on a new framework to counter terrorist financing. The body also stressed the importance of checking whether countries are effectively implementing anti-terror financing laws.
“The FATF has also enhanced its focus on the effectiveness of measures countries have put in place. That is how, through our mutual evaluations, we have identified gaps that need to be addressed. The FATF has developed guidance on terrorist financing risk to support experts that contribute to evaluations of the 200+ jurisdictions in the Global Network,” the statement added.
India seeks Pakistan re-listing
The FATF’s remarks come amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 attack. India has blamed Pakistan-based terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and its shadow outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), for planning the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan, on the other hand, has denied any involvement.
In response, Indian authorities have renewed their demand for Pakistan to be placed on FATF’s grey list, which monitors countries that fail to act against money laundering and terror financing. According to a PTI report, sources said India is pushing to have Pakistan re-listed.
The FATF grey list currently includes 24 countries. Pakistan has been placed on it multiple times in the past — first in 2008, then again in 2012 and later in 2018. It was removed from the list in October 2022 after meeting the required conditions.
