Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday terminated two government employees from service for their alleged terror links, officials said.
The fired employees have been identified as Abdul Rehman Naika who worked as a pharmacist in the health department, and Zahir Abbas, a teacher in the school education department, they added.
Sinha invoked Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution to terminate the two employees after a probe by the law enforcement and intelligence agencies “clearly established their terror links”, officials said.
The LG has ordered termination of several government employees over the past few years under the same provision.
Naika, a resident of Devsar in Kulgam district, was appointed as a medical assistant in 1992.
“His links with Hizbul Mujahideen was unearthed after the police launched a probe into the killing of Ghulam Hassan Lone, a staunch nationalist in Devsar whose three sons are serving in security forces.
“Lone was killed by terrorists in August 2021. The probe revealed that Naika was one of the plotters of killing aimed at creating a state of fear and insecurity among the patriotic people,” officials said.
The investigation revealed that Naika played a key role in nourishing, strengthening and proliferating a conducive ecosystem for secessionism and terrorism, not only in Kulgam, but also in the neighbouring Shopian and Anantnag districts, they added.
After Lone’s murder, the police tracked the footprints of the overground workers (OGWs) providing logistical support to the terrorists, they said.
Naika and his associates were nabbed with hand grenades and AK 47 ammunition. During interrogation, he confessed to have received direction from his handlers in Pakistan to carry out a terrorist attack in Kulgam by lobbing grenades on security forces and political persons, officials said.
“He also admitted that as an OGW, his job was to conduct reconnaissance of targets. In the killing of Lone, Naika and his associates kept a watch on his movement and on the day of the murder, he mounted surveillance in the area to provide a safe passage to the attackers,” they added.
During investigation, “his role as an Hizbul Mujahideen aide facilitating attacks on police personnel was also unearthed”, officials said.
“Naika was a rabid OGW and a hardcore terror associate for various outfits, in particular the Hizbul Mujahideen, and used his privilege as a government employee to target people, police and political leaders,” they said.
The second employee to face action — Abbas — is a resident of Badhat Saroor area in Kishtwar district.
“A graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, Abbas was posted as a teacher at the government high school in Bugrana in 2012. He was arrested in September 2020 for harbouring three active Hizbul terrorists in Kishtwar. He is currently lodged at the Kot Bhalwal prison,” officials said.
During investigations into terror activities in Kishtwar, Abbas’ role as a hardcore OGW came to light.
“After his arrest, Abbas gave inputs of hideouts where arms and ammunition were stored, besides identifying two OGWs — Gulzar Ahmad and Mohammad Hanief,” they said.
Abbas was also providing critical information about force movements to his handlers in Pakistan, they added.
“He also helped terrorists on the ground with food, shelter, and arms besides enabling them to evade arrest and plan attacks. His presence in a school where he had the potential to influence, indoctrinate and radicalise students fundamentally contradicts the principles of education and poses a direct threat to the stability and security of the nation.
“Even today, discreetly obtained intelligence inputs suggest that Abbas continues to indulge in radical activities while in jail,” the officials said.
The two cases are “clear examples of Pakistan’s ISI and Pakistan-based terror outfits infiltrating the system”. They also reveal these outfits’ sinister strategy to sustain terror activities and secure finances from Indian exchequer while subverting the system from within, they said.
The officials added that during a recent security review meeting, the LG vowed to wipe out terrorists, their supporters and those aiding and abetting them from within the system.
Terror Will Be Wiped Out: LG
The nation will forever remain indebted to brave soldiers, who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of unity, integrity, peace and progress, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday.
“We have worked with sincerity and honesty to build a progressive and modern J&K of their dreams,” Sinha said..
The LG attended ‘Ati Vishnu Mahayagya’ at Pouni, Reasi and paid homage to the martyr soldiers and police personnel. He expressed gratitude to Pujya Sant Shri Bal Yogeshwar Ji Maharaj, for organising ‘Ati Vishnu Mahayagya’ for the last many years to recall with pride the great sacrifice of Jawans.
He vowed to wipe out the terror ecosystem and called upon every section of the society to discharge their responsibilities and join the fight against terrorism to secure our future. “Terror ecosystem will be completely neutralized and terrorists will be wiped out from Jammu Kashmir,” he said.
He also spoke on J&K’s exceptional journey towards growth and prosperity, under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in the last 50 months.
“We had envisioned a prosperous J&K UT and in the last 4 years, we have taken many steps to speed up infrastructure development, build an environment more conducive to industries and increase investment in various other sectors of the economy,” the LG said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the people-centric policies, progressive reforms across the sectors and dedicated focus of the government on the empowerment of youth, women, farmers and marginalised sections have paved the way for rapid and inclusive development of Jammu Kashmir.
He also urged the farmers and other stakeholders associated with agriculture & allied sectors to avail the benefits under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program.
On the occasion, Sinha along with Sant Shri Bal Yogeshwar Das Ji Maharaj also unveiled the idol of Bhagwan Narayan.
Kuldeep Raj Dubey, Member of Legislative Assembly; Vishesh Paul Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi; senior officials of civil & police administration, army veterans; families of the martyrs and prominent citizens from all walks of life were present.
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