LG Manoj Sinha terminates services of two government employees for their terror links

Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha yesterday terminated the services of two government employees for their terror links. The Lt governor has used powers under article 311 (2) (c) of the constitution to terminate the services of Zakir Abbas, a school teacher in Kishtwar district and Abdul Rehman Naika, a pharmacist with the Health Department in Kulgam district. 

The action followed an investigation that confirmed their links to terrorist organisations, officials said. Abdul Rehman Naika was found to have links with terror outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen. “Naika, a resident of Devsar in Kulgam district, had played a role in the



2021 killing of nationalist political figure Ghulam Hassan Lone, whose sons serve in the security forces. Naika was involved in plotting Lone’s assassination to spread fear among patriotic citizens. 

Officials added that Zahir Abbas, who holds a degree from the Aligarh Muslim University, was arrested in 2020 for sheltering Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists. He provided logistical support, including arms and ammunition, and shared intelligence on the security forces’ movements with handlers in Pakistan. Even in jail, according to intelligence agencies, Abbas engaged in radical activities.