In a major move to target the roots of the terror ecosystem and its infrastructure within the government machinery, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today terminated five government employees having terrorism links. Sinha’s action is aimed at a systemic clean-up of government machinery. Since 2021, Sinha has terminated the services of more than 85 government employees who were found to be working for terrorist groups.
Over the past five years, Sinha has emerged as the strategic force behind the systematic dismantling of terror networks in Jammu and Kashmir. Guided by a deep sense of justice, his approach has been both firm and fair. While he has decisively removed terrorists and their enablers from government service, he has simultaneously extended opportunities and dignity to genuine victims of terror by providing them employment. This balance of resolve and empathy defines his leadership. Compassionate towards the innocent yet uncompromising with terrorists, he has shown zero tolerance for terror and its sympathisers. His emphasis on dismantling terror structures and cleansing institutions through non-kinetic measures is steadily delivering tangible results.
Sources said these active associates, who were planted within government machinery by terror outfits and Pakistan’s ISI, are time-bombs. They infiltrated the system over the last several decades to weaken government machinery and jeopardise national security.
“However, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched a major offensive in 2021 to expose and break the backbone of the terror ecosystem. From financiers to foot soldiers, his decisive and widespread action against all elements dismantled the terror infrastructure to a large extent,” sources within the security agencies revealed.
Details of 5 Government Employees Terminated by Sinha
1. Mohd Ishfaq (Teacher):
He was appointed as Rehbar-e-Taleem in the School Education Department and later confirmed as a teacher in 2013. According to investigators, Ishfaq was working for Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). He was in regular contact with LeT commander Mohd Amin alias Abu Khubaib, a Government of India–designated terrorist operating from Pakistan.
Ishfaq was assigned an active operational role and tasked to execute the killing of a police officer in Doda in early 2022. Surveillance revealed he was assisted by LeT OGWs. He was arrested in April 2022 by J&K Police before executing the plan. Arms and ammunition were recovered, and interrogation revealed he exploited his position as a teacher to influence youth to join terror groups.
“He used his influence to spread radical ideology and motivate youth towards terrorism. Ishfaq, being a teacher with unhindered access to impressionable minds, was a critical asset of LeT. Inputs suggest that despite being in jail, he continues to indoctrinate inmates,” sources revealed.
2. Tariq Ahmad Rah (Lab Technician):
Engaged on a contractual basis in 2011 and later confirmed in 2016 in the Health Department, Tariq was posted at Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehara, Anantnag. Sources said he came under the influence of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) from a young age. His uncle, Amin Baba alias Abid, was HM Divisional Commander (1998–2005).
Tariq’s terror link surfaced during an SIA probe into Amin Baba’s escape to Pakistan in 2005. Investigation revealed that Tariq facilitated Amin Baba’s stay in Anantnag and arranged transportation to the Attari–Wagah border.
“Tariq ensured the exfiltration of a wanted terrorist across an international border. Amin Baba is now operating from Pakistan,” sources said.
Amin Baba is reportedly based in Islamabad and attends regular meetings with ISI, LeT and JeM terrorists. After Tariq’s arrest under UAPA, he was later granted bail. Intelligence inputs indicate he resumed terror activities after release.
3. Bashir Ahmad Mir (Assistant Lineman):
Bashir joined the PHE Department in 1988 and was regularised in 1996. Despite being a government employee, he became an active LeT OGW in Gurez, Bandipora.
He facilitated terrorist movement, logistics, intelligence sharing and shelter. His role surfaced in September 2021 when two LeT terrorists were found hiding in his house. An anti-terror operation led to their neutralisation and recovery of two AK-47 rifles and ammunition. Bashir was arrested and later granted medical bail.
“Individuals like Bashir, embedded within the government system while serving the enemy, pose a grave threat to India’s sovereignty,” sources said.
4. Farooq Ahmad Bhat (Field Worker, Forest Department):
Posted in Anantnag, Farooq actively worked with HM and also served informally as a personal assistant to a former MLA with terror links. He helped plan and execute Amin Baba’s escape to Pakistan, using his government ID to bypass security checkpoints.
A government gypsy with personal security officers was allegedly used in the operation. Farooq was arrested in 2024 and granted bail in 2025. Sources said he continues to remain in contact with terrorists.
5. Mohd Yousf (Driver, Health & Medical Education Department):
Appointed in 2009 and posted at Bemina, Srinagar, Yousf was in regular contact with terrorists, including Pakistan-based HM terrorist Bashir Ahmad Bhat. On his direction, Yousf procured arms and transported funds in Ganderbal.
On 20 July 2024, police intercepted a vehicle carrying Yousf and an associate, recovering a pistol, ammunition, a grenade and ₹5 lakh. Interrogation revealed he was providing logistics to terrorists using his official position and was part of a network supplying phones to jailed terrorists.
Sources indicated the action under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution is intended to purge terrorist influence from the system.
“The strict actions by Sinha would cleanse the government machinery and reinforce its integrity,” sources said.