International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

The Role of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Terrorism: An Analysis Through GIS

Popular Front of India (PFI), proscribed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is in a space of complexity between its avowed nature as a sociopolitical movement and charges of extremist engagement. The role of the PFI in terror, with a specific emphasis on Kerala, is the subject of analysis in this study, employing a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to map its geographical footprint, recruitment networks, and hotspots of radicalization. The article follows the development of PFI from its inception in 2006 as a regional coalition to its expansion throughout India, with key strongholds including Malappuram, Kasaragod, and coastal Karnataka. Through reports and investigative analysis, the research establishes suspected connections to international financing circles, militant group affiliations, and the employment of charitable fronts for weapons training and indoctrination. Through the mapping of these activities, this study emphasizes the spatial nature of terrorism and the significance of GIS to comprehend the radicalization, recruitment, and security threat patterns. The research demonstrates how geographical analysis can enhance counter-terrorism efforts by providing evidence-based information on organizational penetration and operational hotspots, particularly in the socio-political context of Kerala. Keywords: Popular Front of India (PFI), terrorism in Kerala, geographic information systems (GIS), radicalization and recruitment, counter-terrorism strategies