‘Money Flow Sustains Terror; Face of Terror Will Keep Changing’: FATF

GG News Bureau
United Nations, 17th June: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global anti-terrorism body, has condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack that took place on April 22. FATF stated that such attacks could not have occurred without financial means and transactions among terrorist supporters.

Pahalgam Attack and India’s Response
The terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley on April 22 tragically claimed 26 lives. Following this, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on the night of May 6, conducting military operations that targeted terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

This action led to military conflict between the two nations, during which India executed precise strikes on several Pakistani targets. A ceasefire agreement was subsequently reached on May 10. FATF emphasized that such terrorist attacks are not merely carried out with guns and explosives; rather, they are underpinned by a deep and organized financial network that sustains terrorism through funding.

FATF’s Stance on Terror Funding
FATF underscored its commitment to developing frameworks and encouraging various countries to adopt measures to counter terror funding. It warned that “as long as this money continues to flow for terrorism, the face of terror will keep changing.”

For several years, FATF has provided guidelines to over 200 countries worldwide on combating terrorism financing. These guidelines include monitoring banking systems and issuing warnings against the misuse of new technologies such as social media, crowdfunding, and cryptocurrencies.

BRICS Forum Unites Against Terrorism
The Pahalgam terrorist attack was recently condemned at the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in Brasilia. The forum achieved consensus on the necessity of zero tolerance and global unity in the fight against terrorism.

India’s participation, alongside parliaments from all 10 member countries—Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia—was a significant success. Representatives from these parliaments actively engaged in discussions and played a crucial role in shaping the joint declaration.