Two days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to J&K, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha dismissed two government employees for alleged anti-national activities and the police conducted raids on separatists and attached properties of alleged militants in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, the Indian and Pakistani armies held a flag meeting in Poonch.
Invoking sections of Article 311, which bypasses any departmental inquiry and rely solely on security agencies’ reports, the two terminated employees were identified as Basharat Ahmad Mir, an assistant wireless operator in the J&K Police and Ishtiyak Ahmed Malik, a senior assistant in the Public Works department.
Officials said the duo was terminated for “their deep involvement in anti-national activities and had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies”. “Mir was under intelligence radar on the basis of highly credible inputs from agencies that he was in continuous touch with Pakistan intelligence operatives. He was sharing critical and vital information to the adversary about security installations and deployment with the enemies. Being a trained police official and posted at a sensitive place, he had access to the vital information concerning national security,” the dossier said.
Malik, according to the security agencies’ dossier, was “listed as an active member of the proscribed unlawful association Jamaat-e-Islami and terror associate of Hizbul Mujahideen. “He, as a key functionary of the JeI, played a crucial role in strengthening the organisation within his sphere of influence. He also facilitated creation of a network of sympathisers who later became overground workers and foot soldiers of the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit,” it added.
The police also raided houses of separatists in Srinagar and Pulwama. A police spokesman said the houses of Peer Saifullah, currently in jail, and Advocate Ashraf Laya, were searched as “efforts to dismantle the remnants of the secessionist and terrorist ecosystem in J&K”.
“During the search, incriminating materials including books, letterheads, pamphlets and letters related to the investigation of the instant case have been recovered from the house of Bhat,” the police said.
In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, the police attached agricultural land worth ₹3.47 crores and three individuals. The police claimed all the three “illegally exfiltrated to Pakistan for obtaining illegal arms and ammunition training”. “This decisive step is part of ongoing efforts to act tough against individuals who are falling under the purview of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This showcases the unhindered efforts of Police against elements involved in activities detrimental to public safety and national security,” the police said.
In the Pir Panjal valley’s Poonch, the six kanals of land of a local, Mohammad Bashir, was attached in a case related to the Egress and Internal Movement (Control) Ordinance (E&IMCO). The police said the accused absconded to Pakistan or Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Meanwhile, a popular female separatist leader, Fareeda Behangi, on Thursday became 12th separatist leader to publicly renounce separatism in Kashmir. She was head of the J&K Mass Movement. “I and my organisation have no connection or affiliation with either Hurriyat [Geelani] or Hurriyat [Mirwaiz],” she said. She also pledged loyalty to India and the Constitution.
The sudden spurt in raids on separatists and attachment of properties came in the wake of the recent visit of Mr. Shah to J&K, where he chaired two security meetings and directed security agencies to “make headway on the gains” made after the Centre revoked J&K’s special status in 2019.
In Jammu, anti-militancy operations continued against two groups of militants in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts. Two separate gunfights between security forces and the militants were reported on Wednesday. However, no militant has been killed so far.
Meanwhile, the Army said a flag meeting between the officials of the Indian and Pakistani armies was held in Poonch.
“The flag meetings are routine on Line of Control and border management process in accordance with DGMO’s understanding between both sides. Today’s meeting was conducted to discuss routine issues along the LoC,” the Army said.
Published – April 10, 2025 08:53 pm IST