The Jammu and Kashmir government has terminated the services of three of its employees under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India, over alleged terror links.
1. Manzoor Ahmad Itoo, resident of Shopian ( Working as a junior engineer in PMGSY Bandipora)
Manzoor is a hardcore Jamat-e-Islami supporter. Investigation has revealed that Manzoor, a civil engineer, had close ties with Hizbul Mujahideen terror organization. Manzoor while working as a Junior Engineer was involved in organizing street protests and arranging crowd for terrorists funerals and recruiting youth for terror activities. He was also reported for instigating general public on several occasions, especially during the funerals of terrorists and used to raise the necessary paraphernalia –preparing stage, tents and public address system for facilitating speeches by terrorists in public gatherings.
2. Syed Saleem Andrabi, Orderly, Social Welfare Department, Kupwara.
Syed Saleem Andrabi was appointed as orderly in 2015. His two relatives, Mohammad Yusuf Geelani and Mohammad Qasim Geelani are currently in Pakistan and are commanders of proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiyaba. Saleem’s father, Syed Iftikhar Andrabi visited Pakistan several times in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and met various terrorists operatives of LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen. Iftikhar later created a narco terror network with his son Saleem to generate money to finance terrorist activities. Saleem Andrabi was also in touch with a terrorist handler of LeT Saifullah, a native of Afghanistan.
3. Mohd Aurif Sheikh, Teacher, Govt Middle School, Pagihalla, Mahore.
In 2010, Sheikh was appointed as a Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher in government middle school, Pagihalla. He was confirmed as a permanent teacher in 2016 in the same school. He continued teaching in the same school until his arrest in Narwal bomb blast on 21st Jan 2023. Investigation has revealed that while working as a teacher, Sheikh was involved in planting IED at Sanjay Nagar Chowk, Jammu in February 2022 on the behest of LeT terrorists Qamar Din and Qasim alias Salman, based in Pakistan. In May 2022, Sheikh had planted IED in a bus at Katra Bus stand on the direction of his LeT handlers. It is learnt during the investigation that after carrying out terrorist attack in Katra, Sheikh tried to collect more IEDs on the direction of his handlers based in Pakistan. In December 2022, Sheikh had shifted to Peerbagh Colony, Sunjwan. He received a consignment of IEDs and money through drone on 27th December. The drop is suspected to have been made somewhere in Akhnoor. He had planted two IEDs at Narwal Transport Yard on 20th January 2023. Investigation has revealed that after planting the IEDs he had informed his handlers in Pakistan and gave them the location.
