KINS Desk
Srinagar, Jan 13 (KINS): As part of an intensified crackdown on terror-related activities, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has ordered the removal of five government employees accused of having links with banned terrorist organisations.
Officials said that the dismissed employees include Mohd Ishfaq, a government school teacher; Tariq Ahmad Rah, a laboratory technician; Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman; Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a Class-IV employee in the Forest Department; and Mohd Yousf Kumar, a driver in the Health and Medical Education Department.
Mohd Yousf Kumar, a driver currently lodged in Central Jail Srinagar, has been identified as an indexed Over Ground Worker (OGW) of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen with sustained contact with Pakistan-based handler Bashir Ahmad Bhat. Officials said he procured arms, ammunition, and funds for HM on cross-border directions and was intercepted by Ganderbal Police on July 20, 2024. The operation led to the seizure of a pistol, ammunition, a grenade, and ₹5 lakh cash under FIR No. 183/2024 registered under the Arms Act, Explosives Act, and UAPA. Investigations revealed his involvement in a ₹3 lakh arms procurement at SKIMS Soura and misuse of his ambulance-driver position as operational cover.
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a Forest Department employee, was found to have maintained long-standing links with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and played a key role in the 2005 escape of HM commander Mohammad Amin Baba. Officials said he coordinated logistics, arranged an official vehicle, and personally escorted the commander from Bijbehara to Attari for illegal cross-border movement. Intelligence inputs further revealed his continued role in providing shelter, transport, and support to terrorists, posing a serious insider threat.
Tariq Ahmad Rah, a Lab Technician at SDH Bijbehara, allegedly misused his official position to maintain links with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen through his uncle, commander Mohammad Amin Baba. Investigations confirmed his involvement in facilitating the commander’s escape in 2005 by arranging shelter and logistical support, as well as his continued radicalisation efforts and misuse of official access.
Mohd Ishfaq, a government teacher from Bhaderwah, was found to be in sustained contact with Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Mohd Amin alias Khubaib. Officials said he was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate a police officer in Doda and was linked to arms movement and terror coordination. Arrested in April 2022 and charge-sheeted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, he allegedly used his position to radicalise youth and continued ideological influence even from jail. He is currently lodged at Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu.
Bashir Ahmad Mir, an Assistant Lineman from Gurez, has been identified as a long-term OGW of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Officials said he exploited his government position to provide shelter, logistical assistance, and movement guidance to LeT terrorists in the Bandipora–Gurez belt. His involvement culminated in a 2021 encounter in which two terrorists were killed inside his house. Subsequent investigations and intelligence inputs indicated that he continued ideological support and covert facilitation for the outfit even after securing bail.(KINS)
