The Indian government, in collaboration with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police units, is actively countering terrorist activities. Over the recent period, various modules engaged in such activities have been dismantled across different states. Notably, the state of Jammu and Kashmir, once a hotspot for such operations, has witnessed a significant improvement in the security situation since the abrogation of Article 370, benefiting both the army and state police.
This article aims to analyse a recurring pattern among individuals arrested for terror-related activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Drawing parallels, the recent arrests in Uttar Pradesh related to the Aligarh Module revealed a commonality – individuals associated with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and possessing impressive academic records, including some pursuing PhDs. Similarly, a pattern emerged when Organiser investigated individuals arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for suspected terror links – a significant number were government servants.
Here, we present a compilation of thirty government servants apprehended in Jammu and Kashmir to date, all linked to terrorist activities.
As of November 22, 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir Government terminated the services of four employees due to their connections with terror activities. This action was taken under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India, aimed at safeguarding the security of the state.
In response to heightened security concerns, the government had previously terminated the services of around a dozen employees in July 2016 following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani. These dismissals were attributed to their alleged involvement in “anti-national activities,” and detailed dossiers were prepared against them across various departments, including revenue, rural development, and education.
A significant incident in 2020 involved the arrest of DSP Devinder Singh, who was apprehended with top Hizbul terrorists. Subsequently, in 2021, a Special Task Force was established to scrutinize government employees in Jammu and Kashmir. On July 10, 2021, it was revealed that the sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Salahuddin were also employed.
Collectively, the efforts of the Special Task Force have resulted in the termination of approximately 30 government employees since 2016.
Here is a list of all those government employees:
On November 21, 2023, the services of several individuals were terminated for their involvement in activities detrimental to national security. Among those dismissed were Assistant Professor (Medicine) Nisar-ul-Hasan from SMHS Hospital Srinagar, Constable Abdul Majeed Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Laboratory Bearer Abdul Salam Rather in the Higher Education Department, and Teacher Farooq Ahmad Mir in the Education Department. Their terminations were attributed to their roles in aiding Pakistani terror outfits, facilitating logistics for terrorists, promoting terrorist ideologies, contributing to terror financing, and supporting a secessionist agenda.
On July 18, 2023, three individuals were dismissed from the University of Kashmir. Faheem Aslam, the Public Relation Officer (PRO), was revealed to have been ‘planted’ in Kashmir University in August 2008 by a terror-separatist figure closely associated with JKDFP founder Shabir Shah. This occurred outside the standard recruitment process and was aimed at fostering pro-Pakistan activities on the campus.
Murawath Hussain Mir, a Revenue official, was identified as the chief facilitator of extortions by terrorist outfits from tehsil office staff in Pampore and Tral during the nineties. He also served as a key overground worker for Hizbul Mujahideen and JKLF.
Arshid Ahmad Thoker, a Police constable, was found to be a high-grade narco-terrorist who misused his uniform to assist Jaish e Muhammed operatives in Budgam and Pulwama. As a result of their connections to illicit activities, these individuals faced termination from their positions at the University of Kashmir.
On July 10, 2021, a series of terminations occurred, involving individuals with various affiliations. Syed Ahmad Shakeel and Shahid Yousuf, the sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Salahuddin, faced termination after being implicated in terror funding. Jabbar Ahmad Paray and Nisar Ahmad from the Education Department were dismissed for their involvement in promoting the secessionist agenda sponsored by individuals from Pakistan, particularly as Jamat-e-Islami ideologists.
Shaheen Ahmad Lone, an Inspector in the Power Department, was found engaged in the smuggling and transportation of arms for Hizbul Mujahideen. Naaz M Allaie, an Orderly in the Health Department, faced termination due to direct involvement in terrorist activities, including harboring two notorious terrorists at his residence. The removal of these individuals from their positions was a response to their various connections with illicit and dangerous activities.
On March 30, 2022, the services of several individuals were terminated for their involvement in activities posing threats to security. Tawseef Ahmed Mir, a Police Constable, was implicated in connections with the terrorist outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and had allegedly attempted to harm two of his police colleagues.
Ghulam Hassan, affiliated with Jamat-e-Islami (JeI), had a record of organising a violent protest in Parimpora in 2009, leading to his termination. Arshid Ahmad, a teacher, engaged in JeI activities and maintained close ties with the Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen, supporting its terrorist activities under the guise of an educator.
Shahid Hussain Rather, a Personal Security Officer (PSO), faced termination for his alleged role in delivering arms and ammunition to terrorists. Sharafat Ali Khan, a Special Police Officer (SPO) in J&K Police, was dismissed due to his involvement in various terror outfits and the circulation of fake Indian currency notes (FICN). The terminations were carried out in response to these individuals’ affiliations and activities posing risks to security.
On August 13, 2022, the following individuals faced terminations from their positions: Assabah-ul-Arjamand Khan, a J&K Administrative Services officer; the wife of Bitta Karate, who is facing terror charges related to the killing of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s; Syed Abdul Mueed, an IT manager in J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute and the son of Syed Salahuddin; Dr. Muheet Ahmad Bhat, a Scientist-D in the Post-Graduate Department of Computer Science; and Majid Hussain Qadri, a Senior Assistant Professor.
Their terminations were attributed to their involvement in transporting a consignment of money for funding anti-India activities in Jammu and Kashmir, along with providing false information for the procurement of a passport.
On January 12, 2020, DSP Devinder Singh, along with Naveed Ahmad Shah, also known as Naveed Babu, and Rafi Ahmed, both police officers, faced termination from their services. This decision came after Devinder Singh was apprehended in connection with top Hizbul terrorists.
Furthermore, in 2021, a special task force was established to scrutinize government employees in Jammu and Kashmir.
