Kashmir University's PRO among three government officers sacked for alleged terror links

File Photo/PTI

The Jammu and Kashmir administration, led by New Delhi-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has terminated the services of three state employees for allegedly working with Pakistan-backed terror outfits. Those sacked include the Public Relations Officer of University of Kashmir, a police officer and a revenue department official.

News gathering agency ANI reported that these officers have been found to be allegedly helping these outfits by providing logistics to militants and raising finances and furthering the secessionist agenda.

The government has invoked 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution of India to sack the three government employees.

Quoting sources, the ANI reported that an investigation clearly established that they were allegedly acting on behalf of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror outfits.

One of the accused who was working at the University of Kashmir as a Public Relations Officer was said to have been an aide of separatist leader Shabir Shah before venturing into legitimate business with seed money allegedly received from Pakistan.

The accused had also been writing in prominent newspapers and on social media. Sources say the content of the writings left little doubt about the intent to legitimize the terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and support the secession of the erstwhile state from the Indian Union.

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The ANI report, quoting sources, said the second accused was recruited as a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police in Armed Police in 2006. He came in contact with Over Ground Workers of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) after which the accused became a conduit and alleged logistic supporter for the terror outfit.

The third accused had been working in the revenue department.

Sources in the investigation team say he was a hardcore proponent of secessionist myths, and an alleged point-man for several proscribed terror outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). (With inputs from ANI)