Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Aug 22: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday dismissed two government employees for ‘terror links’ and in the interest of the security of the state.
The government employees including Khurshid Ahmad Rather, a teacher in the School Education Department, and Siyad Ahmad Khan, an Assistant Stockman in the Sheep Husbandry Department, were dismissed from service with immediate effect.
The orders were issued under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India.
As per an order, “Khurshid Ahmad Rather, son of Mohammad Yousaf Rather resident of Nawa Gabra, Karnah, Kupwara, has been dismissed from service.”
The order states that the Lieutenant Governor, after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on the basis of information available, is satisfied that the activities of Khurshid Ahmad Rather are of such a nature as to warrant dismissal from service.
The Lieutenant Governor is further satisfied that, in the interest of the security of the state, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in the matter.
Similarly, the government orders the dismissal of Siyad Ahmad Khan son of Mohammad Afzal Khan and a resident of Keran, an Assistant Stockman in the Sheep Husbandry Department.
The order states that the Lieutenant Governor, based on the facts and available information, is satisfied that the activities of Siyad Ahmad Khan are of a nature that justify dismissal from service. As in the previous case, it has been stated that an enquiry is not expedient in the interest of the security of the state.
The dismissals are in accordance with the constitutional provisions which permit termination of government employees without a formal enquiry in cases where holding such an enquiry is considered against the interest of state security.
These actions follow the legal framework provided under Article 311 of the Constitution of India, allowing for exceptions to the principle of natural justice under specific conditions related to state interest and security.
As per the sources, Khurshid Ahmad Rather was appointed in government service in 2003 (temporarily under Rehber e Talim) and got confirmed as a teacher in 2008. Kurshid was working as OGW for Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) terror organisation. Despite being paid by the government to fulfil his duty and impart education to youngsters, Khurshid became an active conduit for terrorist activities of LeT.
Investigation has revealed that Khurshid was given assignment to procure arms, ammunition and narcotics by LeT handlers sitting in Pakistan for further distribution among active terrorists operating in the Valley. He was in touch with Pakistan based handlers Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh alias Shakoor and Javid Ahmed. The investigators have revealed that Khurshid had received several consignments containing weapons and narcotics through LoC at Karnah, Kupwara. “The weapons were supplied to active terrorists, while the proceeds from narcotics sales were used to fund terror operations. His role was exposed after Law Enforcement Agencies received an input on 25th January 2024 that two Pakistani terrorists were involved in smuggling of arms with the help of 4 associates in Kupwara. These four names were Khurshid Ahmad Rather, Zahoor Ahmed, Ghulam Sarwar and Qazi Fazal. An FIR was registered and Zahoor Ahmed was picked for interrogation. Zahoor revealed the tentacles of his network and his other associates including Khurshid were arrested,” the investigators revealed on the condition of anonymity.
On the basis of sustained interrogation of Khurshid and his associates, a huge cache of arms and ammunition including 5 AK Type (Short) MP 5 rifles, 1 AK-47 rifle, 2 pistol, 5 MP 5 magazine, 2 pistol magazine, 1 AK-47 magazine, 20 AK-47 rounds were recovered. Khurshid was arrested. Currently he is lodged at District Jail, Kupwara.
“Education is what shapes the course of a country. It necessarily gains importance that those who teach ought to be persons of highest morals and integrity. In J&K’s context, several individuals (like Khurshid) played the role of Pakistani proxies in schools, colleges and universities under the garb of ‘teaching’ or ‘non-teaching’ faculty for several decades. If the education system is infected with people like Khurshid, the entire country will be put to real peril,” the investigators observed.
The sources said that Siyad Khan was appointed as Assistant Stockman in the Sheep Husbandry Department in 2004. He willingly started working for Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and was tasked to receive an infiltrating group of terrorists, sheltering them and transporting their arms and ammunition.
According to investigators, Siyad Khan also started smuggling narcotics to sustain terror activities.
“He was intercepted and arrested on 12th January 2024 at Peer Baba Shrine, Keran, Kupwara by a Naka Party of J&K Police and Army. On search, 1 AK-47, was recovered from his possession which he was transporting for a terrorist. 1 Pistol, 1 Pistol magazine and 5 Pistol rounds were recovered from his associate Rafaqat Ahmed Khan,” the investigators said.
It was further revealed that Siyad Khan was in touch with Pakistan-based handler Basharat Ahmed Khan who used to smuggle arms, ammunition and narcotics through Siyad Khan and his associates at Keran near LoC fence for its further transport to active LeT terrorists to execute terror attacks in the valley.
“People like Siyad, feed on government exchequer as parasites, and by their terrorist activities keep on hurting India. Such elements must be wiped out from the system. Siyad’s disloyalty towards the nation by becoming an accomplice and a ring leader of LeT terror outfit has wreaked colossal damage to the society and the country,” the Investigators said. Siyad was arrested in 2024 and he is currently lodged in District Jail, Kupwara.
The sources said that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has taken a firm stance against terrorism and its ecosystem. His zero-tolerance policy against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is characterized by a multi-pronged approach that combines aggressive anti-terror operations, dismantling of support networks, strict legal action against facilitators, and community engagement to foster peace. By aligning with national security strategies and emphasizing both security and development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s policy aims to eliminate terrorism and establish lasting stability in the region.
