According to the FATF study, assailants in Pulwama and Gorakhnath used VPNs and e-commerce websites

In a report published Tuesday, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) noted that digital platforms like social media, messaging apps, and crowdfunding websites are increasingly being misused for financing terrorism, citing the use of online payment services, virtual private networks (VPNs), and e-commerce platforms in the attacks in Pulwama in February 2019 and Gorakhnath Temple in April 2022.

 The FATF report, which did not name any nations, stated that it has heard from its delegates regarding the use of state sponsorship for terrorism financing (TF), either as a method of fundraising or as a component of the financial management plan of some terrorist organizations. According to the study, "certain terrorist organizations have been and continue to receive financial and other forms of support from several national governments," according to a number of publicly accessible information sources and delegation inputs.

“Several forms of support have been reported, including direct financial support, logistical and material support, or the provision of training. Delegations reported state sponsorship for TF purposes coupled with sanctions circumvention techniques through trade and smuggling mechanisms where the national government potentially plays a supportive role,” the report titled ‘Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks’ said.

 Pakistan’s Role

Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organization based in Pakistan, was involved in the Pulwama attack, which killed 40 CRPF members.