In a significant move targeting the infrastructure of terrorism within the region, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir has terminated the services of five government employees over their alleged links with terror outfits. The dismissals, ordered on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, are part of an ongoing effort to dismantle terror networks operating within government institutions.
The terminated employees include Mohd Ishfaq, a teacher; Tariq Ahmad Shah, a laboratory technician; Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman; Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a field worker in the Forest Department; and Mohd Yousf, a driver in the Health Department. Investigations revealed that these individuals were actively linked to terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen. They are accused of exploiting their positions to provide logistical support, facilitate communication, and aid terrorist activities while drawing salaries from the state treasury.
Mohammad Ishfaq, the teacher, was allegedly working for LeT and was in regular contact with LeT commander Mohammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, who is a designated terrorist operating from Pakistan. Ishfaq was allegedly given an active operational role by LeT and tasked with executing the killing of a police officer in Doda in early 2022. He was arrested in April 2022 before he could carry out the attack. According to sources, Ishfaq used his position as a teacher to influence youth to join terror groups by spreading radical ideology.
Tariq Ahmad Shah and Farooq Ahmad Bhat are facing charges for providing logistical support to Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Mohammad Amin Baba in 2005. Mohd Yousf was procuring arms on the direction of HM terrorist Bashir Ahmad Bhat, and Bashir Ahmad Mir provided shelter to two LeT terrorists in 2021.
The dismissals were carried out under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which allows for the removal of a civil servant without a formal inquiry if the Lieutenant Governor is satisfied that such an inquiry would not be practical in the interest of the security of the state.
Since 2021, the administration has terminated the services of more than 85 government employees found to be working for terror groups. LG Manoj Sinha has emphasized the need for coordinated action against terrorists, their enablers, and ideologues to dismantle the entire ecosystem and eliminate safe havens. He stated that armed terrorists, their supporters, and those intimidating common citizens should be treated alike and made to pay a heavy price for their actions.
