Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday dismissed five government employees from service for alleged links with terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Sources in the Union Territory administration identified the terminated employees as Mohammed Ishfaq, Tariq Ahmad Rah, Bashir Ahmad Mir, Farooq Ahmad Bhat and Mohammed Yousf. With these dismissals, the number of government employees sacked since 2021 has crossed 85, sources said.
The latest terminations were carried out under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution, which allows the dismissal of government employees without a formal inquiry in the interest of the security of the state.
“These active associates, who were planted within government machinery by terror outfits and Pakistan ISI, are time bombs. They infiltrated the system over the last several decades to weaken the government machinery and to jeopardise national security,” a source in the UT administration said.
Teacher Linked to LeT Arrested Before Planned Attack
Mohammed Ishfaq, a government school teacher, was arrested in April 2022 before he could allegedly carry out a plan to kill a police officer in Doda. Ishfaq had joined government service under the Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher recruitment scheme and was confirmed as a teacher in 2013.
Sources said Ishfaq was found to be actively influencing youth to join terrorist organisations and was working closely with Pakistan-based Lashkar commander Mohammed Amin alias Abu Khubaib. Arms and ammunition were recovered from premises linked to him following his arrest.
“He used his influence to spread radical ideology, motivate youth towards terrorism, and disrupt the peace and progress of J&K. Ishfaq, being a teacher with unhindered access to young and impressionable minds, was a critical asset of LeT. We have received inputs that, despite being in jail, Ishfaq continues to indulge in radical activities by indoctrinating jail inmates,” one of the sources told ThePrint.
Lab Technician Helped Hizbul Commander Flee to Pakistan
Tariq Ahmad Rah, a lab technician with the health department, was hired on a contractual basis in 2011 and confirmed in 2016. He was arrested by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) after his alleged role surfaced in helping his uncle—former Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Amin Baba—cross over to Pakistan in 2005. The case was transferred to the SIA in 2023.
Sources said Tariq facilitated Baba’s stay in Anantnag, where he was posted, and arranged his travel to the Attari-Wagah border.
“Tariq ensured the exfiltration of a wanted terrorist across an international border. Due to his conspiracy, Amin Baba successfully crossed over to Pakistan and is currently operating from there to carry out terrorist activities,” a source said.
Intelligence agencies said Baba regularly attended meetings with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and operatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“He is responsible not only for the training of Hizbul cadres in terror camps but also for recruiting youth into the terror fold and to plan and execute terrorist operations from Pakistan. After his role was uncovered, Tariq was arrested under the UAPA and later granted bail. Credible intelligence inputs indicate that after being released on bail, Tariq resumed his terror activities and remained in contact with terrorists and their supporters,” one intelligence source said.
Forest Department Worker, Ex-MLA Aide also Involved
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a field worker in the forest department, was also found complicit in the plan to help Amin Baba cross over to Pakistan. Arrested in 2024, Bhat was granted bail last year, sources said.
Bhat, who was informally working as a personal assistant to a former MLA, allegedly used his government identity card to help Baba evade security checks. He also used the MLA’s vehicle and driver to drop Baba at the international border.
Overground Worker Embedded in PHE Department
Bashir Ahmad Mir, appointed to the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department in 1988 and regularised in 1996 as an assistant lineman, later became an overground worker (OGW) for terrorists in the Gurez area of Bandipora district, sources said.
Mir allegedly guided terrorists, provided logistical support and shelter, and shared information on the movement of security forces. He came under the scanner in September 2021 after police received inputs that two LeT terrorists were hiding in his house.
“Two AK-47s and a large cache of ammunition were recovered. He was arrested and later given medical bail by the court. Individuals like Bashir embedded deep within the government system, drawing salaries from the Indian exchequer while covertly serving the enemy, pose a dangerous threat to the country’s sovereignty and integrity,” a source said.
Hospital Driver Ferried Arms, Funds for Hizbul
Mohammed Yousf, a driver with the health and medical education department, was found to have maintained active links with Hizbul Mujahideen cadres, particularly Pakistan-based commander Bashir Ahmad Bhat. On his directions, Yousf allegedly transported arms and terror funds in Ganderbal district.
He was arrested in July 2024 along with his associate Eashan Hamid while delivering one such consignment. Police recovered a pistol, ammunition, a grenade and Rs 5 lakh in cash from their vehicle.
“During the sustained interrogation, Yousf revealed that he received the consignment at the direction of his Pakistani handler, and it was to be delivered to a terrorist,” a source said.
Yousf also admitted to using his official position as a hospital driver to provide logistical support to terrorists and was part of a network that supplied mobile phones to jailed terrorists to help them communicate with Pakistan-based handlers, the source added.
In August last year, Sinha had similarly dismissed a teacher and an assistant stockman in Kupwara for their alleged collusion with Lashkar.