LG orders dismissal of two govt employees over terror links
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday terminated the services of two government employees in the Union Territory over their alleged involvement in terror activities, officials said.
The sacked employees were identified as Siyad Ahmad Khan, an assistant stockman in the Sheep Husbandry Department residing in the Keran area, and Khurshid Ahmad Rather, a school teacher from the Karnah area — both in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Article 311 (2)(c) of the Constitution was invoked to terminate their services after investigations by security and intelligence agencies established their involvement, they said. Both of them are currently lodged in the Kupwara district jail.
According to officials, Rather is accused of working as an overground worker (OGW) for the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
A probe revealed that Rather, who was appointed under the Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme in 2003 and confirmed in 2008, allegedly procured and distributed arms and narcotics for Pakistan-based handlers. He was arrested earlier this year after arms were seized in Kupwara.
He was tasked by Pakistan-based handlers to procure and distribute arms, ammunition and narcotics among active terrorists in the Valley. He reportedly received several consignments through the LoC in Karnah. The weapons were supplied to terrorists, while proceeds from narcotics sales were used to fund operations, they said.
His role surfaced after intelligence inputs on January 25, 2024, indicated that two Pakistani terrorists, with the help of four associates, including Rather, were smuggling arms in Kupwara.
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, investigations revealed.
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 four 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 was arrested,” the investigators revealed on the condition of anonymity.
On the basis of sustained interrogation of Khurshid and his associates, 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
Another government employee Siyad Ahmad Khan was appointed in 2004. He was caught with an AK-47 and is accused of sheltering and infiltrating terrorists and smuggling arms.
Investigators revealed that he was in touch with a Pakistan-based handler, who used him for smuggling arms and narcotics across the LoC for further distribution to active LeT terrorists.
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 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.
Notably, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has taken 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.
Notably, more than 70 government employees have been dismissed in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years over alleged terror links.
