Govt dismisses 52 officers so far for links with terror outfits in J&K
Sameer Reshi
Srinagar: The Government of J&K Monday terminated the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University of Kashmir, Faheem Aslam, Revenue Department officer Murawath Hussain Mir, and Police Constable Arshid Ahmad Thoker from their services.
As per the Government order issued in this regard, they were found to be actively working with Pakistani terror outfits, providing logistics to terrorists, propagating terrorist ideology, raising terror finances, and furthering a secessionist agenda.
The Government invoked 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution of India to sack these three government employees after a painstaking investigation clearly established their association with Pakistan’s ISI and the terror outfits.
Faheem Aslam (PRO, University of Kashmir)
Faheem Aslam, currently working as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the University of Kashmir, sources said, is a diehard secessionist who not only subscribes to and endorses secessionist ideology but has also been a key propagandist for terrorists and terror outfits in the Kashmir Valley.
Sources privy to the investigation reveal that Faheem Aslam was planted in Kashmir University in August 2008 by a terror-separatist kingpin as a contractual employee, and later he was confirmed.
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Faheem Aslam was planted in KU in 2008 by a terror-separatists kingpin as a contractual employee, later confirmed.
Arshid Ahmad Thoker was introduced to JeM network and became an indispensable conduit and logistic supporter for this dreaded terrorist outfit in Budgam and Pulwama, especially in Chadoora-Kakapora axis
Murawath Hussain Mir evolved as one of the most important and trustworthy over ground workers (OGW) for both HM and JKLF, getting baptised in active terrorism, with total commitment.
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“He was designated as a media reporter by the University to keep the secessionist-terrorist campaign alive because the University campus was known as one of the epicenters of secessionist activism and an important breeding ground for terrorism.”
Further investigation in this regard, will be launched to apprehend the kingpin of the terror-separatist syndicate, who is said to have operated as a close aide of terrorist Shabir Shah before venturing into legitimate business with seed money received from Pakistan’s ISI.
It has been stated that Faheem’s appointment was done without any public advertisement, interview, or police verification, violating the constitutional requirement of equal opportunity for all applicants for a position funded by the public exchequer.
Sources also said that he was issued an appointment letter without any interview, competition, or police/CID verification, clandestinely allowing him to enter public employment through a backdoor.
Faheem, publicly known as a secessionist-terrorist campaigner, sources said, made it abundantly clear through his writings in Greater Kashmir and social media posts that his loyalty lies with Pakistan.
Several of his posts, campaigning for the secession of J&K and its merger with Pakistan, were deleted after the abrogation of Article 370 but were retrieved during the investigation.
These posts, sources note, depict beyond doubt that he is a hardcore Pak Embedded High-Value Asset (PEHVA) of Terror Outfits, responsible for promoting and glamorizing terrorism.
In one of his Facebook posts dated May 23, 2020, Faheem Aslam wrote, “Nothing can ever change one reality; Kashmir will always observe Eid with Pakistan, ALWAYS! That’s for Pakistan, not Kashmiris. We will go with Pakistan. Let Pakistan decide who they want to go with: Choudhary sb or Mufti sb.”
In another social media post, Faheem Aslam wrote, “May Allah [SWT] ease the sufferings of Muslims across the globe, especially in Palestine, Kashmir, and Pakistan. May the occupation end, and occupiers burn in hell. May Allah accept the sacrifices of martyrs, and may Gaza and Kashmir see the dawn of freedom soon. [Ameen].”
Investigation has revealed that he openly expresses his hatred for the country and refers to brave security forces as “Indian Occupational Forces.”
On August 4, 2015, he posted the following on social media: “Epitaph on the grave of my cousin from Islamabad (read Anantnag) who was martyred by Indian occupational forces on October 27, 1990. He was 20 years old then. Please read the lines once and pray for his soul. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen!!!”
Despite deleting several social media posts in which he propagated and promoted terrorism, sources said, it is common knowledge in the Kashmir valley that he was the biggest narrative terrorist, especially between 2008 and 2018.
According to sources, Faheem Aslam drew a salary from the state exchequer while simultaneously receiving a salary from the Greater Kashmir newspaper since 2008. He was paid in cash to hide his wrongdoings as a public servant and had not obtained permission from the University to work with Greater Kashmir.
Available records, as per the investigation, suggest that he had been a permanent staffer of Greater Kashmir, filing reports, and functioning as a full-time sub-editor. His role as a reporter and sub-editor in Greater Kashmir and his employment at Kashmir University establish his secessionist credentials.
Pertinent to mention here that the NIA is already investigating the terror and ISI links of the Greater Kashmir newspaper and its associated business interests.
It has been noted that the content of Faheem Aslam’s writings leaves little doubt about his intent: to legitimize terrorism in J&K UT and support the secession of J&K from the Indian Union.
“He has been positioned by Pakistan proxies, such as the terror kingpin turned businessman, since 2008 to nourish and sustain pro-Pakistan activities in Kashmir University. His appointment and simultaneous work in Greater Kashmir newspaper, authorized by the University administration, is strong evidence of the clout he enjoyed.”
Investigators reveal that Faheem Aslam has remained affiliated with Yasin Malik-led JKLF and would often be seen in the company of such elements inside and outside the campus.
He played a significant role as an activist, secessionist-narrative peddler, and organizer in the violent agitations of 2008, 2010, and 2016, planning and organizing demonstrations, especially on the Kashmir University campus. “His influence on young boys and girls towards secessionism, who study or seek admission in Kashmir University, continues to persist and poses a significant threat to national security and the youngsters.”
Arshid Ahmad Thoker (Police Constable)
Arshid Ahmad Thoker was recruited as a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police, first in the Armed Police in 2006 and later in the Executive Police in 2009. Details available state that after completing his Basic Recruitment Training Course (BRTC) at Lethpora police training center, he managed to transfer to District Srinagar and mostly remained attached as a PSO/Driver to different police/civil officers and protectees.
According to sources, Arshid came in contact with a hardcore Over Ground Worker (OGW) of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, aka RK, son of Mohammad Kamal Ganie, resident of Sheikhpora Wathoora, Budgam. Mushtaq introduced Arshid to the JeM network, and he became an indispensable conduit and logistic supporter for this dreaded terrorist outfit in Budgam and Pulwama, particularly in the Chadoora-Kakapora axis.
Arshid’s association with the JeM network further strengthened his belief in the terror ideology, emboldening him to take risks in supporting terrorism without caring for the adverse impact on his police duties.
He took advantage of his police identity to evade police and security forces’ checkpoints, fully committed to his twin goals: financing terrorism and earning illegal money through the narcotics trade.
On May 31, 2020, as per details, based on specific information received by Police Station Chadoora about the suspicious movement of terrorists and their associates in the Wathoora and Dooniwara areas, a joint naka of Police/CRPF/Army was established near Dooniwari Bridge.
During the checking, Arshid was arrested along with several terror associates, and recoveries were made, including weapons, ammunition, cash, and narcotics. This case was a clear instance of narco-terrorism, and Arshid’s involvement as a high-grade narco-terrorist became evident.
The cash recovered from Arshid and his associates, details state, was intended for terrorism purposes, and he used vehicles to facilitate and ferry JeM terrorists.
Further involvement of Arshid came to light on June 24, 2022, when two individuals were arrested with vehicles, which were purchased from the proceeds of narcotics provided by Arshid.
These vehicles, source said, were intended to be delivered to terrorists for some terror activity, as revealed by the arrestees. Investigators point out that Arshid took advantage of his position as a policeman to go unnoticed at police/army naka points by displaying his police identity card, thus avoiding searches even of those riding with him.
“His narco-terror activities remained undetected for years because of his affiliation with the police force. Instead of fulfilling his duty to fight terrorism, he chose to become a mole and collaborator, betraying his oath and uniform. Arshid’s disloyalty to the nation and the department, by becoming an accomplice and OGW of the JeM terror outfit, has caused significant damage to the department, society, and the state.”
Murawath Hussain Mir (Revenue Officer)
Murawath Hussain Mir was appointed as a Junior Assistant in 1985 in the Revenue Department. As per details, he became deeply involved in terrorism as soon as Pakistan sponsored a terrorist and secessionist campaign in J&K in 1990.
Sources said that he not only became an ideologically hardcore proponent of secessionist beliefs but also served as a point-man for several proscribed terror outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and J&K Liberation Front (JKLF), providing them free access to interfere in the affairs of the Tehsil office of Pampore. Murawath acted as a conduit for terrorists to extort monthly “donations” from fellow employees.
“The deductions, which were sort of institutionalized, involved cashiers and accountants from almost all government departments. He facilitated such extortions in Tehsil offices of Pampore and Tral.”
Source further state that Murawath didn’t restrict himself to being an extortion facilitator but evolved into one of the most important and trustworthy overground workers (OGW) for both HM and JKLF, fully committed to active terrorism.
“He misused his position in the government and his close proximity to the magistracy to arrange logistics for terrorists and transport weapons/ammunition. He navigated police/security force checkpoints by virtue of his identity as a member of the local magisterial setup. In October 1995, he was arrested along with four other terrorists of HM and JKLF in Rajbagh, Srinagar.”
Their interrogation, source said, revealed a plan to blow up a vital installation in Srinagar, and a substantial quantity of explosives and bombs were recovered from them. Murawath spent only eight months behind bars before being released and managing to re-enter the government.
“The lack of accountability for his actions over the past 28 years despite all checks and balances failing to hold him responsible indicates the extent of near state capture by the adversary. Due to his deep connections with the secessionist-terrorist ecosystem and active membership in such networks, Murawath secured admission for his son Haris Murawath in MBBS in Pakistan with the support of the United Jehad Council and its proxies in Kashmir.”
As per details, in 2007, Murawath founded the Falah-e-Behbood committee in Pampore town and became its founding president. “Intelligence inputs suggest that this committee played an important role during the public unrests of 2008, 2010, and 2016.”
It is worth mentioning that as the Lieutenant Governor of J&K UT, Manoj Sinha has adopted a policy of “Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism.”
He has remained successful in dismantling the terror ecosystem that thrived in J&K before the abrogation of Article 370.
With the recent termination orders, the count of officers sacked for their links with terror outfits has reached 52. Manoj Sinha has been taking decisive action to eliminate terrorists, their support systems, and supporters, which is seen as the final blow to terrorism in the region.
Recently, Manoj Sinha had terminated two doctors, Dr Nighat Shaheen Chilloo and Dr Bilal Ahmad Dalal, who had hatched a conspiracy with PAK ISI, Terror Outfits and its assets within Kashmir to falisfy post-mortem report of Asiya and Neelofar of Shopian, who had unfortunately died by accidental drowning on 29th May 2009.
In August last year, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha had sacked Ms. Assabah-ul-Arjamand, a KAS officer and wife of dreaded terrorist, Bitta Karate. Assabah had developed deep links with secessionist-terrorist networks, especially JKLF, within and outside the country. In the same month last year, Manoj Sinha had terminated the services of Syed Abdul Mueed, son of Hizbul Mujahideen founder and a most wanted terrorist Syed Salah-ud-din.
The terrorist son was given a government job in 2012 as a manager IT in JKEDI. Soon after his appointment in 2012, a series of attacks followed between 2013-2019 there were at least 03 terrorist attacks in and around JKEDI complex at Sempora in Pampore.
This continued with intermittent gaps till 2019. In one such terror attack in October 2016, the hostel and the main building suffered extensive damage and also several security force personnel lost their lives.
In May 2022, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha had terminated Altaf Hussain Pandit, Professor in Chemistry Department of Kashmir University. Altaf was an active terrorist for approximately three long years.
He joined terrorist ranks in 1990 and had crossed LoC. After obtaining arms-ammunition training in Pakistan he returned to Kashmir in the same year.
He was provided with appointment in 2004 though he remained deeply associated with JeI cadre and secessionists during his study at Aligarh Muslim University.
It is evident that there was no change in Altaf Hussain Pandit as far as his intention to use his new status as an academic for spreading secessionist-separatist ideology. Anees-Ul-Islam, grandson of Syed Ali Shah Geelani was terminated by Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha in October 2021.
Altaf Ahmad Shah @ Fantosh was among the first founder members of Islami Jamat-e-Tulba (IJT) J&K; student wing of Jamat-e-Islami, and remained its Nazim-e-Zilla (District President) Srinagar.
Over a period of time with his deep rooted connections in JeI, he became one of the executive member of Tehreek-i-Hurriyat led by his father in law Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Shahid Yousuf, Syed Ahmad Shakeel, the other two sons of Salah-ud-din were terminated by the Lt Governor in July 2021.
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha is razing the ecosystem that has abetted J&K terror so far. His crackdown on terrorists, terror eco-system and supporters are seen as last nail in the coffin of terrorism.
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