Umaisar Gul Ganaie

Srinagar, Jan 13: In a decisive action against terror ecosystem, the Jammu and Kashmir government led by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has terminated five employees over terror links in the Union Territory.

According to details available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the terminated employees included a teacher, a laboratory technician, an assistant lineman, a field worker of the Forest Department and a driver of the Heth Department.

Details reveal that Mohd Ishfaq, government teacher, was appointed as Rehbar-e-Taleem and confirmed as a teacher in 2013. “Investigators found he worked for the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and maintained regular contact with LeT Commander Mohd Amin alias Abu Khubaib, a Government of India-designated individual terrorist operating from Pakistan,” officials said.

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.

They added Ishfaq, with unhindered access to young minds, was a critical LeT asset. “Even from jail, he continues radicalising inmates.”

They said that Tariq Ahmad Rah, a Lab Technician, was engaged as a contractual lab technician in 2011 and confirmed in 2016 at Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehera, Anantnag. “He came under Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (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 Pakistanz Tariq facilitated Amin 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 also said that Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman, joined the PHE department in 1988 and was regularised in 1996. “Despite his role, he became an active LeT OGW in Gurez, Bandipora, guiding terrorist movements, providing logistics and shelter, and sharing security force details. 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 he was arrested and granted medical bail. “Individuals like Bashir, embedded in government while serving enemies, threaten India’s sovereignty.”

The officials said that Farooq Ahmad Bhat, 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 dropping 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 further said that Mohd Yousuf, a driver in the Health and Medical Education Department, was appointed 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—(KNO)