J&K Government Terminates Employees Over Alleged Terror Links

In a significant move aimed at enhancing security in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced the dismissal of two government employees on August 22, 2025, due to their alleged involvement with terrorist activities. This action underscores the regional government’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard state security.

Dismissals Linked to Militancy

The two dismissed employees, Khurshid Ahmed Rather and Siyad Ahmad Khan, were reportedly connected to the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Rather, a teacher in the School Education Department, had been stationed at the Government Primary School in Maindpora Nawa Gabra, Kupwara. His tenure with the government began in 2003, and he was confirmed as a teacher in 2008. Despite his role in education, Rather allegedly engaged in subversive activities that violated the trust placed in him.

Officials claim that Rather served as an overground worker for LeT, facilitating the smuggling of arms and ammunition into Indian territory. On January 25, 2024, police in Kupwara received credible intelligence regarding two operatives from Pakistan, Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh and Qazi Mohammad Khushal, who were involved in arms smuggling. Reports indicate that Rather, along with local associates, played a key role in this operation, which aimed to foster terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

As a result of these serious allegations, a case was registered against Rather under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Crackdown on Internal Threats

The second employee, Siyad Ahmad Khan, worked as a stock assistant in the Sheep Husbandry Department in Keran, Kupwara. His actions were described as clandestine, designed to evade detection by security forces. On January 12, 2024, Khan was apprehended by a police and army team at the Peer Baba Shrine in Keran while allegedly attempting to deliver arms to LeT operatives. Authorities recovered an AK-47 from Khan and a pistol, along with ammunition, from an associate, Rafaqat Ahmad Khan. This incident further substantiated the allegations against him.

The dismissals were executed under Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution, which permits the government to terminate employees without a formal inquiry if it is deemed necessary for state security. This provision has been increasingly used since 2021, resulting in numerous dismissals of government employees suspected of ties to terrorist organizations.

The government’s actions are part of a broader strategy aimed at ensuring the security and stability of Jammu and Kashmir, a region that has experienced significant militancy and separatist activities. The administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of support for terrorism, particularly from those within its ranks.

This decision follows a heightened focus on security concerns in the region, particularly after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians, primarily tourists, lost their lives. This tragic incident highlighted the persistent threat posed by terrorist groups and the urgent need for robust security measures.

In response to these developments, Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the elimination of three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack during a coordinated operation by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The termination of Rather and Khan serves as a clear message about the government’s commitment to maintaining national security. By removing individuals with alleged ties to terrorism from government positions, the administration aims to mitigate potential threats from within. This approach is integral to dismantling the support networks that facilitate terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.