Five More J&K Govt Employees Sacked Over Alleged Terror Links

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration on Tuesday dismissed five more government employees after accusing them of working covertly for two proscribed militant organisations. Officials described the move as part of a broader, “decisive” effort to dismantle what they termed the terror ecosystem operating within state institutions.

The employees removed from service are Muhammad Ishfaq, teacher, Tariq Ahmad Shah, laboratory technician, Bashir Ahmad Mir, assistant lineman, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, field worker in the Forest Department and Muhammad Yusuf, driver in the Health Department.

According to security and intelligence agencies, the individuals were allegedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). Investigators claim they provided logistical support, facilitated communication channels, and aided the activities of these organisations—all while holding public posts and drawing salaries from the government.

Officials claimed that Ishfaq was appointed as Rehbar-e-Taleem and confirmed as a teacher in 2013. But investigators found he worked for the LeT and maintained regular contact with its commander Muhammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, a Government of India-designated individual terrorist operating from Pakistan. They said Ishfaq received an active operational role from LeT, tasked with executing the killing of a police officer in Doda in early 2022.

“Security and intelligence agencies placed him under surveillance, revealing assistance from LeT Over Ground Workers (OGWs). He was arrested in April 2022 by J&K Police in Marheen before executing the plan, with arms and ammunition recovered from him and his associate. Interrogation showed Ishfaq exploited his position as a teacher to influence youth toward terror groups, spreading radical ideology to disrupt peace in J&K,” they said, adding that Ishfaq, with unhindered access to young minds, was a critical LeT asset who, even in jail, continues radicalising inmates.

They said that Rah was engaged as a contractual lab technician in 2011 and confirmed in 2016 at Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehara, Anantnag. “He came under HM influence early, influenced by his uncle Amin Baba alias Abid, HM Divisional Commander from 1998-2005. Tariq’s links surfaced during a State Investigation Agency (SIA) probe into Amin Baba’s 2005 escape to Pakistan as Tariq had facilitated Baba’s stay in Anantnag and arranged his transport to the Attari-Wagah border. Officials said that Tariq ensured the exfiltration of a wanted terrorist, enabling Amin Baba—now in Islamabad—to train HM cadres in PoJK camps, recruit youth, and plan attacks with ISI, LeT, and JeM. “Arrested under UAPA and later bailed, credible inputs show Tariq resumed terror activities and contacts”.

They said that Mir joined the Public Health Engineering Department in 1988 and was regularised in 1996. “Despite his role, he became an active LeT Over Ground Worker in Gurez of Bandipora district, “guiding terrorist movements, providing logistics and shelter, and sharing security force details” in the border belt. His role emerged in September 2021 when police inputs led to an anti-terror operation at his house, neutralising two LeT terrorists and recovering two AK-47s and ammunition,” they said.

They added that Mir was arrested and granted medical bail. “Individuals like Bashir, embedded in government while serving enemies, threaten India’s sovereignty,” officials said.

They said that a field worker in the Forest Department, served in Anantnag and actively supported HM, informally assisting a former MLA with HM ties. Investigators said he helped Tariq Ahmad Rah plan Amin Baba’s escape to Pakistan, using his government ID to bypass checkpoints and drop him at the International Border. “The former MLA provided an official Gypsy with security and a driver. Arrested in 2024 and bailed in 2025, his terror activities continue as he maintains contacts with terrorists and sympathisers,” they said.

According to the officials, Yusuf was appointed as a driver in the Health and Medical Education Department in 2009 and posted at Bemina, Srinagar. “He maintained regular contact with terrorists, especially Pakistan-based HM handler Bashir Ahmad Bhat. On Bashir’s directions, he linked with HM operatives for arms procurement, fund transport in Ganderbal, and other logistics, using his official driver position,” they said.

They added that he also aided a network supplying phones to jailed terrorists for Pakistan communication. “On July 20, 2024, police intercepted his vehicle with associate Eashan Hamid, recovering a pistol, ammunition, grenade, and ₹5 lakh. Interrogation confirmed the consignment was for a terrorist per his handler,” they said.

Officials said the terminations were executed under legal provisions empowering the Lt. Governor to remove employees whose actions are deemed a threat to the sovereignty, integrity, or security of the Union Territory. The decisions followed dossier-based assessments and prolonged surveillance inputs compiled by multiple agencies.

The latest dismissals form part of a sustained crackdown by the administration, which has removed more than 80 government employees in recent years—including teachers, revenue officials, engineers, and police personnel—on grounds of alleged anti-national conduct or violations of service rules.

In April 2020, the administration under Lt. Governor Sinha established a Special Task Force (STF) to identify employees suspected of involvement in activities prejudicial to national security. The move drew sharp criticism from political parties, trade unions, and human rights groups. A separate committee was later constituted to scrutinise cases under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which allows dismissal without a formal inquiry in matters concerning national security.

The terminations, however, triggered strong reactions from opposition parties and civil society. Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised the government’s approach, arguing that such actions deepen alienation rather than resolve underlying issues. She said that dismissing employees leave families in distress, adding that since 2019 hundreds of employees have been summarily dismissed without even a trial, solely based on unproven allegations of so-called terror affiliations. She argued that an “iron-fist approach” may create an illusion of normalcy but cannot deliver lasting peace.

Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the dismissals, calling them “inhuman and arbitrary.” He described the use of laws that cannot be legally challenged as “despotism” and urged the elected government to “stand up to this injustice” and safeguard the rights of Kashmiris.

Ruling National Conference vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has repeatedly questioned the practice of terminating employees without judicial scrutiny. Referring to earlier dismissals, he had said that “every accused person is innocent until proven guilty” and argued that employees should be given a fair opportunity to respond to allegations.

However, the political debate has also seen counter-accusations. Responding to Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism, NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar pointed out that previous governments, including the PDP-BJP coalition, had also dismissed employees on similar grounds. He had in a post on ‘X’ said that the PDP had itself set the precedent by removing staff under the label of “dead wood,” and accused Mufti of objecting only after losing power.