Srinagar, Nov 29 : Government today terminated two employees from their services over terror links, including a teacher and a pharmacist.
The terminated employees include Abdul Rehman Naika, a pharmacist in the Health and Medical Education Department and Zahir Abbas, a teacher in the School Education Department.
Over the past few months, the Lt Governor-led administration has terminated several Government employees from their services over terror links in the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, as per the fresh order, the Lieutenant Governor is satisfied after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on the basis of the information available, that the activities of Abdul Rehman Naika, Pharmacist in Health and Medical Education Department son of Mohammad Assan Naika of Qasba Devsar, Kulgam are such as to warrant his dismissal from service.
It added the Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in the case of Abdul Rehman Naika, Pharmacist in Health and Medical Education Department son of Mohammad Assan Naika of Qasba Devsar, Kulgam.
Accordingly, the Lieutenant Governor hereby dismisses Naika, Pharmacist in Health and Medical Education Department S/o Mohd Assan Naika R/o Qasba Devsar, Kulgam from service, with immediate effect.
A similar order was issued for the termination of a school teacher, Zahir Abbas.
Naika, a resident of Devsar, Kulgam was appointed as a Medical Assistant in 1992. His links with Hizbul Mujahideen was unearthed when police officials started investigating killing of political person Ghulam Hassan Lone of Devsar. Ghulam Hassan Lone was a staunch nationalist and all his 3 sons are serving in security forces. He was killed by militants in August 2021. Investigation had revealed that Naika was one of the plotters of killing of Ghulam Lone to create terror and a situation of insecurity among the patriotic people.
“Investigation further revealed that Ab. Rehman Naika played a pivotal role in nourishing, strengthening and proliferating conducive ecosystem for secessionism and terrorism, not only in his local area of Kulgam but also in the neighbouring districts of Shopian and Anantnag,” an official said.
“After Ghulam Hassan Lone’s killing, the police investigation tracked the footprints of OGWs who were providing logistical support to militants. Naika and associates were finally nabbed with a hand grenade and AK 47 ammunition. During the interrogation, Naika confessed he had received direction from his handlers in Pakistan to carry out a militant attack in Kulgam by lobbing grenades on security forces and political persons. He also admitted that as an overground worker his job was to conduct reconnaissance of targets. In the killing of Ghulam Hassan Lone, Naika and his associates had kept a watch on his movements and on the day of killing he mounted surveillance of the area so that terrorists get a safe passage without getting identified or intercepted. Sources said during further investigation, we unearthed his role and acts for Hizbul Mujahideen and how he facilitated attacks on police personnel.”
“He has been a rabid OGWs and hardcore terror associate for various outfits, in particular Hizbul Mujahideen. He had a free run for a very long time. He undermined and sabotaged the very system from which he derived livelihood. Moreover, he used his privilege as a government employee to target people, police and political leaders”, the official added.
Zahir Abbas of Badhat Saroor, Kishtwar is the second employee whose services has been terminated. He is a graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, was appointed as a teacher in 2012 and posted at Government High School, Bugrana.
Zahir was arrested in September 2020 for harbouring three active militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (Mohd Amin, Reyaz Ahmad and Mudasir Ahmad) in Kishtwar. He is currently lodged in Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal.
“During the investigation of terror activities in Kishtwar, the role of Zahir as hardcore OGW came to light. As a teacher he was expected to serve the nation but he betrayed his country, aligned with Pakistani terrorists and provided arms, ammunition and logistical support to terror outfits, in particular Hizbul Mujahideen. He turned against the same country which provided him and his family livelihood and a life of dignity. After his arrest, Zahir gave the inputs on hideouts where arms and ammunition were stored and also identified two other OGWs namely Gulzar Ahmad and Mohd Hanief,” the official said.
“Abbas was also providing critical information about security forces movements to his handlers in Pakistan.”
“He was also helping terrorists on the ground with food, shelter arms and also enabling them to evade capture and plan attacks. Careful analysis of the tactics used and the targets chosen by Zahir Abbas provide valuable insight into the modus operandi of terror groups. His presence in a school, where he had the potential to influence, indoctrinate and radicalise students, fundamentally contradicts the principles of education and poses a direct threat to the stability and security of the nation. Even today discreetly obtained intelligence input suggests that Zahir Abbas continues to indulge in radical activities in Jail,” the official said.
