FATF Aligns with India, Condemns Financial Support in Pahalgam Attack
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog for terror financing, has strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and emphasized that such incidents are impossible without channels of financial support.
The Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists and injured several others, sent shockwaves across India. The cowardly strike was widely denounced both domestically and internationally. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sending a clear signal of its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
Now, the FATF has officially responded to the incident, stating that terrorist attacks of this scale cannot occur without systematic money transfers and backing from organized financial networks. The organization’s statement aligns with India's long-standing position that terror outfits rely heavily on global money laundering and funding systems to carry out attacks.
What is FATF?
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental body that develops and promotes policies to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other threats to the international financial system. Headquartered in Paris, the FATF sets global standards and monitors compliance among member countries.
Its primary role includes:
Identifying and disrupting funding networks that enable terror activities.
Creating and enforcing anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations.
Conducting peer reviews and assessments of national compliance with its standards.
The 'Grey List'
The FATF also maintains a "Grey List", which includes countries that fail to take adequate measures to prevent terror financing and money laundering. Nations placed on this list face increased monitoring and potential economic consequences, such as reduced foreign investment and access to international financial markets.
Global Support for India's Stand
The FATF's strong remarks are being seen as global validation of India’s concerns regarding the financial ecosystems that support terrorism, particularly emanating from across the border. Indian officials have repeatedly raised the issue in international forums, demanding stricter scrutiny of state-sponsored terrorism and financial conduits used by extremist groups.
As India continues its diplomatic and counter-terror efforts, FATF’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack reinforces the need for international cooperation in cutting off financial lifelines to terrorists.
The FATF’s statement is expected to strengthen India's case against countries that have repeatedly turned a blind eye to terror funding, and it reiterates that without money, training, and weapons, such attacks cannot be executed.