• Source:JND
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In a significant move, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, stating that such atrocities are not possible without financial support. The global anti-money laundering watchdog emphasised the critical role of funding in enabling terrorist networks to plan and execute attacks.

The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, resulted in the loss of innocent lives and sent shockwaves across the region. FATF, which oversees anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) standards across more than 200 jurisdictions, stressed that the ability of terrorist groups to move money undetected remains a serious threat to global peace.

Funding Is Lifeline Of Terrorism

In its official statement, FATF said, “The FATF notes with grave concern and condemns the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This, and other recent attacks, could not occur without money and the means to move funds between terrorist supporters.”

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The organisation added that it is actively supporting its global network to build and improve CFT measures. These include the strategic use of financial intelligence to dismantle terrorist financing infrastructures. FATF reiterated that terrorism kills, maims, and spreads fear, and must be tackled not just on the ground, but also financially.

Over the last decade, FATF has placed increased emphasis on evaluating how effectively countries are in implementing anti-terror financing measures. It has identified gaps through mutual evaluations and provided guidance to plug them.

The organisation is also addressing modern challenges such as the use of social media platforms, crowdfunding campaigns, and virtual assets by terrorist groups to raise and transfer money. To better understand these evolving risks, FATF will soon release a comprehensive report compiling real-world cases of terrorist financing from its global network.

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Call For Unity And Vigilance

FATF President, speaking at the recent No Money for Terror Conference in Munich, emphasised the importance of a united global front: “No single company, authority, or country can combat this challenge alone. We must be unified against the scourge of global terrorism. Because terrorists need to succeed only once to achieve their goal, while we have to succeed every time to prevent it.”