In a major crackdown on terror sympathisers embedded within government ranks, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has dismissed three government employees for their involvement with Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM).
The dismissed employees — Malik Ishfaq Naseer, a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police; Ajaz Ahmed, a teacher in the School Education Department; and Waseem Ahmad Khan, a junior assistant at Government Medical College, Srinagar — were found to be active operatives facilitating arms smuggling, attacks on security forces, and providing logistical support to terrorists. All three are currently in judicial custody.
According to senior security officials, these individuals were not mere sympathisers but key insiders aiding terror groups in orchestrating attacks on civilians and security personnel across the Union Territory. “It is extremely dangerous to have moles and terror collaborators within government institutions, especially the police force. Their presence threatens national security and public trust," said a top security official.
Constable Malik Ishfaq Naseer: The LeT Insider
Recruited in 2007, Malik served as a constable while secretly aiding LeT. His brother, Malik Asif Naseer, a Pakistan-trained LeT terrorist, was killed in 2018. Investigations revealed Malik continued his brother’s mission by smuggling arms, explosives, and narcotics into Jammu and Kashmir. He was involved in identifying GPS-based drop zones and sharing coordinates with handlers in Pakistan.
“Instead of upholding his oath, he betrayed the nation by becoming a trusted conduit for LeT. His actions have caused deep damage to the force, society, and the country," a senior officer stated.
Ajaz Ahmed: Teacher Turned HM Courier
Ajaz Ahmed, appointed in 2011, operated as a courier for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the Poonch region. His role was uncovered in November 2023 when he was intercepted with arms, ammunition, and HM propaganda in his vehicle. The consignment was linked to HM handler Abid Ramzan Sheikh from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Investigations showed Ajaz regularly transported arms and narcotics to terror cells in the Kashmir Valley.
Waseem Ahmad Khan: Linked to Shujaat Bukhari’s Assassination
Waseem, employed since 2007, was identified as a co-conspirator in the 2018 assassination of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his two security officers in Srinagar. He provided critical logistical support to the attackers and aided their escape. Arrested during investigations into a 2018 terror attack in Batmaloo, Waseem’s connections to both LeT and HM marked him as a key insider for terror outfits operating under Pakistan’s ISI.
Zero Tolerance Policy Under LG Manoj Sinha
Since assuming office in August 2020, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has aggressively targeted terror support networks within government systems. Over 75 government employees linked to terrorist groups or acting as overground workers (OGWs) have been dismissed under Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution.
His administration has also enforced stringent police verification for new government recruits to prevent terror infiltration. “A firm message has been sent — no one with terror affiliations will be allowed to operate within the government machinery. This has significantly disrupted internal sabotage mechanisms," a senior government official confirmed.
A Comprehensive Anti-Terror Strategy
The J&K administration under LG Sinha has adopted a multi-pronged approach, combining intensified counter-terror operations with efforts to dismantle financing networks and purge OGWs from government departments. Official data indicates that hundreds of terrorists have been neutralised since 2020.
“This decisive, holistic strategy has significantly weakened the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir," an official said, highlighting the administration’s ongoing commitment to restoring peace and security in the region.