Continuing its campaign to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir government, led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has terminated five government employees for their links with terrorists and anti-national elements.
The terminated employees include a teacher, a laboratory technician, an assistant lineman, a field worker of the Forest Department, and a driver in the Health Department. With this, the total number of terror-linked government servants dismissed so far has risen to 87.
According to reports, Mohammad Ishfaq, a government teacher, was appointed as a Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) in 2013 and later confirmed as a teacher. Investigators found that he was working for the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and was in regular contact with LeT commander Mohammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, a Government of India–designated terrorist operating from Pakistan.
An investigation conducted by the intelligence agencies revealed that Ishfaq was assigned an active operational role by LeT and was tasked with executing the killing of a police officer in Doda in early 2022.
Security and intelligence agencies placed him under surveillance, which revealed assistance from LeT Over Ground Workers (OGWs). He was arrested by J&K Police in April 2022 in Marheen before he could execute the plan, and arms and ammunition were recovered from him and his associate.
Interrogation revealed that Ishfaq had exploited his position as a teacher to influence youth towards terror groups and spread radical ideology to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports further stated that, with unhindered access to young minds, he was considered a critical LeT asset and continued to radicalise inmates even from jail.
Reports said Tariq Ahmad Rah, a laboratory technician, was engaged on a contractual basis in 2011 and was confirmed in 2016 at the Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehara, Anantnag. He reportedly came under the influence of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) early on through his uncle, Amin Baba alias Abid, who was an HM divisional commander from 1998 to 2005.
Tariq's links surfaced during a State Investigation Agency (SIA) probe into Amin Baba's escape to Pakistan in 2005. Investigations revealed that Tariq facilitated his uncle's stay in Anantnag and arranged his transportation to the Attari-Wagah border. Further investigation showed that Tariq ensured the exfiltration of a wanted terrorist, enabling Amin Baba—now in Islamabad—to train HM cadres in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) camps, recruit youth, and plan attacks in coordination with the ISI, LeT, and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and later released on bail. Credible inputs suggest that he resumed terror-related activities and contacts after his release.
Reports said Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman, joined the PHE Department in 1988 and was regularised in 1996. Despite holding a government position, he allegedly became an active LeT OGW in Gurez, Bandipora, guiding terrorist movements, providing logistics and shelter, and sharing sensitive information about security forces.
His role came to light in September 2021 when police inputs led to an anti-terror operation at his residence, during which two LeT terrorists were neutralised and two AK-47 rifles along with ammunition were recovered. He was later arrested and granted medical bail. Officials said individuals like Bashir, who remain embedded in government services while aiding terrorist groups, pose a serious threat to India's sovereignty.
Officials further said Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a field worker in the Forest Department posted in Anantnag, actively supported Hizbul Mujahideen and informally assisted a former MLA with alleged HM links. Investigators said he helped Tariq Ahmad plan Amin Baba's escape to Pakistan by using his government identity card to bypass checkpoints and by dropping him near the international border.
Reports added that the former MLA had provided an official Gypsy vehicle along with security personnel and a driver. Farooq Ahmad Bhat was arrested in 2024 and released on bail in 2025. Officials said he continues to maintain contacts with terrorists and their sympathisers.
Reports further stated that Mohammad Yousuf, a driver in the Health and Medical Education Department, was appointed in 2009 and posted at Bemina, Srinagar. He allegedly maintained regular contact with terrorists, particularly Pakistan-based HM handler Bashir Ahmad Bhat. Acting on the handler's directions, he reportedly coordinated with HM operatives for arms procurement, transportation of funds in Ganderbal, and other logistical support, misusing his official position as a government driver.
Reports said he also facilitated a network that supplied mobile phones to jailed terrorists for communication with handlers in Pakistan. On July 20, 2024, police intercepted his vehicle along with his associate Eashan Hamid and recovered a pistol, ammunition, a grenade, and ₹5 lakh in cash. Interrogation confirmed that the consignment was meant for a terrorist on the instructions of his handler.
