L-G sacks 2 govt officials for terror links

The Jammu and Kashmir administration, acting on the directives of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has dismissed two government employees from service over alleged links to terrorist activities.

The terminations were carried out under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which allows dismissal of a government employee without an inquiry in the interest of national security. The decision followed investigations by security and intelligence agencies, which reportedly established the duo’s involvement in terror-related activities. Both individuals are currently lodged in Kupwara District Jail.

The General Administration Department (GAD) issued the dismissal orders on Friday. The dismissed employees have been identified as Siyad Ahmad Khan, an assistant stockman in the Sheep Husbandry Department and a resident of Keran, and Khurshid Ahmad Rather, a school teacher from Karnah — both in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

According to official sources, Rather is accused of working as an overground worker (OGW) for the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). An investigation found that he allegedly procured and distributed arms and narcotics at the behest of handlers across the border. He was arrested earlier this year after arms were seized in Kupwara.

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.

Khan 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.

About 80 government employees have been dismissed in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years over alleged terror links. The exercise was started by L-G Manoj Sinha, who controls the union territory’s Home Department.

Even after the formation of an elected government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, L-G Sinha continues to approve dismissals using the special provisions under Article 311. This has drawn criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had written to Chief Minister Abdullah, urging a review of the dismissals. She has repeatedly argued that terminating employees without due process or trial is unjust and based solely on unproven allegations.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while not opposing the dismissals entirely, has maintained that individuals facing such action should be given an opportunity to defend themselves. “The law is clear — until proven guilty, a person is presumed innocent,” he stated, calling for transparency and fairness in such proceedings.