Lt Governor terminates five employees over terror links

Srinagar, Jan 13: In a yet another decisive blow to the terror ecosystem, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday terminated five more terror-friendly government employees under provisions of Article 311 (2)(c) of the Constitution.
This takes the number of such terminations since 2021, when the LG -led J&K administration started such action, to 89.
According to details available, the terminated employees are: Mohammad Ishfaq, who worked as a teacher in the Education Department since 2013. Tariq Ahmad Rah, who worked as a lab technician in the Health Department since 2011, was posted at the sub-district hospital at Bijbehera. Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman with the Public Health Engineering Department. He had been working with the department since 1988 and was regularised in 1996. Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a field worker with the J&K Forest Department in Anantnag, and Mohammad Yousf, who was posted as a driver with the Health and Medical Education Department since 2009.
An official said, “LG Sinha has launched a decisive strike against the entire terror support network. He has intensified the campaign to uproot overground workers and terrorists embedded within government machinery. Investigations revealed that the terminated employees were actively linked to terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. While holding positions of public trust, they were drawing salaries from the public exchequer even as they secretly advanced the agenda of terrorist groups.”
He said that the action under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution, is intended to purge the system of terrorist influence. “The strict actions by LG Sinha will cleanse the government machinery and reinforce its integrity,” the official added.
Mohammad Ishfaq (Teacher)
An official said that Mohammad 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 Mohammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, a Government of India-designated individual terrorist operating from Pakistan,” he 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 aide. Interrogation revealed that Ishfaq exploited his position as a teacher to influence youth toward terror groups, spreading radical ideology to disrupt peace in J&K,” the official added.
“Ishfaq, with unhindered access to young minds, was a critical LeT asset. Even from jail, he continues radicalising inmates,” he added.
Tariq Ahmad Rah (Lab Technician)
The official said that Tariq Ahmad Rah, a Lab Technician, was engaged as a contractual employee in 2011 and confirmed in 2016 at Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehera, Anantnag. “He came under Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) influence early. He was 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. Tariq facilitated Amin Baba’s stay in Anantnag and arranged his transport to the Attari-Wagah border,” the official added.
He said, “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”.
Bashir Ahmad Mir (Assistant Lineman)
The official 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,” he added.
The official said that he was arrested and granted medical bail. “Individuals like Bashir, embedded in government while serving enemies, threaten India’s sovereignty.”
Farooq Ahmad Bhat (Field Worker)
The official said that Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a field worker in the Forest Department, served in Anantnag and actively supported Hizbul Mujaheedin, 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 their sympathisers,” he added.
Mohammad Yousuf (Driver In Health Department)
The official said that Mohammad 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,” he said.
The official added that Bhat also aided a network supplying phones to jailed terrorists for Pakistan communication. “On July 20, 2024, police intercepted his vehicle with aide Eashan Hamid, recovering a pistol, ammunition, grenade, and Rs 5 lakh. Interrogation confirmed the consignment was for a terrorist,” he added. (KNO)