New Delhi, June 17, 2025:
The terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people on April 22 has been strongly condemned by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The international organisation emphasised the critical role that illegal funding plays in permitting such violence in a rare and incisive statement.
The Paris based watchdog said, "The FATF strongly condemns the vicious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025." "Such attacks could not occur without money and the means to move funds between terrorist supporters," it continued.
To stop such atrocities, the FATF stated that clear examination of terrorist financing is necessary. Given the intensity of the Pahalgam violence, it was disclosed that this is only the third time in the last ten years that the organisation has publicly condemned a particular terrorist act. Five gunmen used military style weapons to shoot tourists of various faiths, including Hindus, a Christian, and a local Muslim pony rider, in the picturesque Baisaran Valley. 26 civilians were killed in what has been called India's deadliest mass shooting since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
In addition, FATF pledged to step up its oversight of international initiatives to obstruct the funding of terrorism. It called on member countries to close financial regulation gaps through mutual evaluations. The watchdog cautioned, "We have identified gaps that need to be addressed." FATF and other international organisations have been under intense pressure from India to connect militant attacks to state sponsored terror networks. Proposals to put Pakistan back on the FATF grey list and to monitor loans from foreign financial institutions to the nation have been part of diplomatic initiatives.
There has also been a regional reaction to the Pahalgam incident. At their June 6 meeting in New Delhi, Central Asian foreign ministers echoed India's condemnation of the massacre and promised to work together under the frameworks of the UN and FATF to fight the funding of terrorism.
Indian opposition politicians have asked the government to provide an explanation for its readiness. Abhishek Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress, posed five pointed questions about the national security posture and intelligence shortcomings. According to observers, FATF's statement, which connects financial oversight and counterterrorism, marks a turning point.
The body has made it clear that stopping the financing of terrorism is just as important as taking any security measures by highlighting the financial foundations of such violence.
