Srinagar, Nov 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has terminated the services of two government employees in Jammu and Kashmir, Ab. Rehman Naika and Zahir Abbas, after an extensive investigation by law enforcement and intelligence agencies uncovered their links with terrorism. The terminations were made under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India, which empowers the government to dismiss individuals in the interest of national security.
1. Ab. Rehman Naika (Pharmacist in Health Department):
Ab. Rehman Naika, a resident of Devsar, Kulgam, was employed as a Medical Assistant in 1992. He was found to have connections with the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group. The investigation into the killing of political figure Ghulam Hassan Lone of Devsar in August 2021 revealed that Naika played a crucial role in the plot to assassinate Lone. Naika had been involved in providing logistical support to terrorists and was arrested with a hand grenade and AK-47 ammunition. “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 district of Shopian and Anantnag,” Sources in law enforcement agencies said.
After Ghulam Hassan Lone’s killing, the police investigation tracked the footprints of OGWs who were providing logistical supports to terrorists. Ab. Rehman Naika and associated were finally nabbed with hand grenade and AK 47 ammunition. During the interrogation, Ab. Rehman Naika confessed he had received direction from his handlers in Pakistan to carry out a terrorist attack in Kulgam by lobbing grenades on security forces and political persons. He also admitted that as a overground worker his job was to conduct reconnaissance of targets. In the killing of Ghulam Hassan Lone, Ab. Rehman Naika and his associates had kept a watch on his movements and on the day of killing, he mounted the 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 associates 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 government employee to target people, police and political leaders. It is so unfortunate that money of Indian taxpayers was used to pay salary to the terrorist like Ab Rehman Naika,” sources said further adding that in a recent security review meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had vowed to wipe out terrorists, their supporters and those aiding and abetting them inside the system.
2. Zahir Abbas (Teacher in School Education Dept ):
Zahir Abbas, a teacher from Kishtwar, was employed at Government High School, Bugrana, since 2012. He was arrested in 2020 for harboring three active Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists which included Mohd Amin, Reyaz Ahmad and Mudasir Ahmad in Kishtwar and was involved in providing them with weapons, ammunition, and shelter. Abbas, a graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, was found to be a hardcore Overground Worker (OGW), assisting terrorists in evading capture and planning attacks. He turned against the same country which provided him and his family livelihood and a life of dignity. He also provided crucial intelligence to his handlers in Pakistan, facilitating terror activities. Further investigation revealed his continued involvement in radical activities even after being jailed. After his arrest, Zahir gave the inputs on hideouts where arms and ammunitions were stored and also identified two other OGWs namely Gulzar Ahmad and Mohd Hanief, sources in the Law Enforcement Agencies revealed. “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 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 suggest that Zahir Abbas continues to indulge in radical activities in jail,” sources said further adding that these two cases are clear example of Pakistan ISI and Pak-based terror outfits deep infiltration in the system and it also reveals terror outfits sinister strategy to sustain terror activities and secure finances from Indian exchequer while subverting the system from within.He is currently lodged in Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal.
