In the latest move to address security concerns in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha has dismissed three government employees on charges of links to terrorist activities. Among those dismissed are a police constable, a government teacher, and a forest department worker. This brings the total number of government employees terminated for terror affiliations to 69 since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. These actions reflect ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of government institutions in the region.
Overview of Terminations
On Saturday, three employees were sacked for their alleged connections to terrorist organizations. The dismissed individuals are Constable Firdous Ahmed Bhat, government teacher Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, and Nisar Ahmed Khan, an orderly in the J&K Forest Department. The terminations come amid heightened scrutiny of the government’s efforts to combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
This is the second such dismissal order by the Lieutenant Governor since the appointment of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in October last year. The timing of these recent terminations has led some to question the scope of Abdullah’s influence over these decisions, especially as the administration continues its efforts to dismantle terrorist networks within the state.
Details of the Dismissed Employees
- Firdous Ahmed Bhat – Police Constable with Alleged Terror Ties
Firdous Ahmed Bhat, a former Special Police Officer (SPO) turned police constable, was arrested in May 2024 on charges related to terrorism. Initially hired as an SPO in 2005, Bhat was confirmed as a constable in 2011 and was posted in a sensitive unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, tasked with electronic surveillance. However, investigations revealed that Bhat had been working for the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
Bhat allegedly provided support to local terrorists by arranging arms and ammunition to carry out attacks on civilians and tourists. During his interrogation, authorities uncovered significant amounts of weaponry and explosives in his possession, including 3 kg of narcotics. The police also linked Bhat to the terrorist Sajid Jutt, who allegedly operated from Pakistan, further corroborating Bhat’s role in a broader terrorist network.
Furthermore, Bhat is accused of being directly involved in multiple attacks, including the killing of J&K Police Sub-Inspector Ashraf Bhat and a failed attack on tourists in 2024. His actions suggest a calculated attempt to use his position in law enforcement to aid terrorist activities within the region.
- Nisar Ahmed Khan – Forest Department Employee with Hizbul Mujahideen Links
Nisar Ahmed Khan, employed as an orderly in the J&K Forest Department since 1996, was also dismissed for his alleged involvement with the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), a prominent militant group in Kashmir. Security agencies have labeled Khan as a “venomous traitor,” asserting that he used his government position to support HM’s destabilizing activities.
Khan’s involvement with terrorism dates back to 2000 when he was reportedly linked to the landmine blast in Anantnag that killed Ghulam Hasan Bhat, the then J&K power minister. Despite his acquittal in 2006 due to a lack of evidence, security forces claim Khan continued to support the HM by mobilizing protests and inciting violence, particularly after the killing of Burhan Wani in 2016. His role in organizing stone-pelting and violent clashes with security forces further underscores his commitment to perpetuating unrest in the region.
- Mohammad Ashraf Bhat – Teacher Supporting Terror Networks
Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, a teacher from Reasi, was dismissed for his alleged involvement with Lashkar-e-Toiba. Bhat, who joined the teaching profession in 2008 and became permanent in 2013, was reportedly radicalized and used his position to indoctrinate local youth into terrorism. Intelligence officials revealed that Bhat was in direct communication with the Pakistani-based LeT handlers, who used him to facilitate recruitment and fundraise for terrorist activities.
Moreover, Bhat allegedly used his position to deliver threat letters to targeted individuals and provided logistical support to terrorist cells. Despite his arrest in 2022, he continued to coordinate with LeT handlers and attempted to radicalize fellow inmates while imprisoned. This case highlights the vulnerability of government positions to exploitation by militant groups, with Bhat using his teaching role as a cover for his terror affiliations.
Impact of These Dismissals on Jammu and Kashmir’s Security Landscape
These terminations are part of a broader effort by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, under the leadership of LG Manoj Sinha, to remove individuals within government ranks suspected of supporting or aiding terrorism. The government’s stance is clear: it will not tolerate individuals who undermine national security or work against the state’s interests. Since the abrogation of Article 370, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the region has seen increased security operations and measures aimed at rooting out militants and their supporters from within the government and society.
However, these actions also raise questions about the long-term impact on local governance and the potential for political friction. The ongoing conflict between national security priorities and local administrative authority, particularly in the wake of the political changes under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, underscores the complex nature of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Conclusion
The sacking of three government employees, including a police constable, teacher, and forest department worker, for alleged terror links highlights the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s continued commitment to securing the region from internal threats. With 69 government employees dismissed since August 2019 for similar reasons, the focus remains on purging government institutions of individuals suspected of undermining the state’s efforts to combat terrorism.
As Jammu and Kashmir works to rebuild trust in its institutions, these terminations are an essential component of efforts to eliminate internal threats posed by extremist affiliations. However, they also signal a larger struggle between security measures and political stability in the region, which will likely continue to evolve in the coming months.
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