Jammu, Jan 13 (NationPress) In a significant blow to the terrorist network, Jammu and Kashmir's Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha announced the dismissal of five government employees on Tuesday, reportedly due to their confirmed connections with terrorist organizations, as per official sources.

The terminated employees include Mohd Ishfaq (teacher), Tariq Ahmad Rah (lab technician), Bashir Ahmad Mir (Assistant Lineman), Farooq Ahmad Bhat (Field Worker, Forest Dept), and Mohd Yousuf (Driver, Health and Medical Education Department).

Mohd Ishfaq: Initially hired as a Rehbar-e-Taleem in the School Education Department, Ishfaq became a confirmed teacher in 2013. Investigations revealed his involvement with the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and his ongoing communication with Mohd Amin alias Abu Khubaib, a terrorist operating from Pakistan.

Sources indicated that Ishfaq was allegedly assigned to carry out the assassination of a Police Officer in Doda in early 2022. He was apprehended in April 2022 by the Jammu and Kashmir Police before he could carry out the plan with the aid of an Over Ground Worker (OGW) based in Marheen. Following his arrest, police recovered arms and ammunition, and subsequent interrogations revealed that Ishfaq had exploited his role as a teacher to recruit youth into terrorist organizations.

Despite being incarcerated, it is believed that Ishfaq continues to engage in radical activities, influencing fellow inmates.

Tariq Ahmad Rah: Hired as a lab technician in 2011 and regularized in 2016 at the Sub-District Hospital in Bijbehera, Anantnag, Tariq's involvement with the terrorist outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) began in his youth, particularly due to his uncle, Amin Baba, who was a Divisional Commander of HM from 1998-2005.

His connection to terrorism surfaced during a State Investigation Agency (SIA) inquiry into Amin Baba's escape to Pakistan in 2005. The investigation, transferred to SIA in September 2023, revealed that Tariq facilitated Amin Baba's stay and transportation to the Attari-Wagah border, allowing a wanted terrorist to cross into Pakistan.

Reports suggest that Amin Baba is currently based in Islamabad, where he attends regular meetings with ISI, LeT, and JeM operatives, orchestrating terrorist training and recruitment.

After being identified, Tariq was arrested under UAPA but was later granted bail, only to reportedly resume his terrorist activities.

Bashir Ahmad Mir: Joining the Public Health Engineering Department as an Assistant Lineman in 1988 and regularized in 1996, Bashir became an active OGW for LeT in the Gurez area of Bandipora. He allegedly provided critical logistical support for terrorist operations.

His involvement was uncovered in September 2021 when police acted on intelligence regarding terrorists hiding in his residence, leading to the neutralization of two LeT terrorists and the recovery of firearms.

Farooq Ahmad Bhat: Despite his position as a field worker in the Forest Department in Anantnag, Farooq allegedly collaborated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He assisted in planning HM Commander Amin Baba's escape to Pakistan, using his government credentials to bypass security checks.

Arrested in 2024, Farooq was granted bail in 2025 but continues to engage with terrorists.

Mohd Yousuf: Appointed as a driver in 2009, Yousuf maintained contact with various terrorists, including HM's Bashir Ahmad Bhat. Under Bhat's direction, he was involved in procuring arms and logistics for terrorism.

On July 20, 2024, police intercepted a vehicle carrying Yousuf and seized weapons and cash. During questioning, he revealed a network that facilitated communication for jailed terrorists.

The L-G's decisive actions signify a commitment to cleanse governmental bodies of any affiliations with terrorism.