BY EOK NEWS DESK
Srinagar, Aug 03: In a decisive move against the narco-terror network, the Jammu & Kashmir administration has terminated six government officials, including five policemen, for their involvement in terror financing through drug sales.
Acting under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution of India, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha dismissed the employees following an exhaustive investigation that linked them to a narco-terror network orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI and terror groups.
Sources indicate that J&K Police had collected incriminating material evidence against the dismissed officials, revealing that these police constables, instead of aiding the force in combating the narco-terror sponsored by Pakistan’s ISI and terror outfits, chose to collaborate with them. Their actions betrayed their oath and uniform, displaying disloyalty towards the nation.
The dismissed officials have been identified as Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Head Constable; Khalid Hussain Shah, Constable; Rahmat Shah, Constable; Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, Constable; Nazam Din, Teacher; and Saif Din, Constable. Their removal is seen as a crucial step in the government’s ongoing efforts to root out elements within its ranks that support terrorism.
Reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and its sympathizers, the sources stated that stringent measures will be taken against anyone found to be involved in such activities. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating, “Narco-terror is one of the biggest threats to the country’s security. The war on the narco-terror network is a critical component of the war on terrorism to completely eliminate the terror ecosystem and to ensure peace and prosperity in J&K.”
J&K Police has taken a leading role in countering Pakistani efforts to smuggle and proliferate narcotics in the region. Properties worth crores belonging to many narco-dealers have been seized.
DGP RR Swain reinforced this stance, declaring, “Every single rupee earned out of narcotics will be traced to every single account and each and every single property. Owners of narco-profits, be they private citizens or moles in government or police or any other organization, shall be held accountable and prevented from benefiting from it.”
The dismissal of these six employees sends a strong message that the government is resolute in its commitment to combating terrorism and will not hesitate to take tough actions against those who jeopardize national security. This move is expected to strengthen the integrity of government institutions and restore public confidence in the administration’s ability to handle internal threats posed by terror financing networks.
Key dismissals:
Farooq Ahmad Sheikh ( Head Constable)
Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, recruited as a constable in the Police Department in 2000 and posted in District Kupwara, was part of an infamous trio alongside Khalid Hussain Shah of Chanipora Tangdar Kupwara and Rehmat Shah of Haridal Karnah Kupwara. All three were employees of the J&K Police. They meticulously created a drug syndicate with an extensive network, enabling them to satisfy their personal desires while collaborating with adversarial forces. This trio played a pivotal role in generating funds from narcotic trade, which were channelled to sustain the terrorist-secessionist ecosystem in J&K.
Farooq used his police uniform and authority as a cover to act as a conduit for smuggling narcotics from across the border into urban consumption belts such as Srinagar, Budgam, and surrounding areas. His uniform, symbolizing honor and prestige, became a disguise for his illicit activities, ensuring that suspicion rarely fell on him.
Farooq’s illicit activities were exposed when his associate, Rahmat Shah, was arrested with approximately 806 grams of brown sugar en route to Kupwara from Karnah. Under interrogation, Rahmat Shah confessed and named Farooq Ahmad Sheikh as a syndicate member. A subsequent search of Farooq’s residential property led to the discovery of around 454 grams of brown sugar, valued at approximately Rs. 1.5 crores in the international market.
Sources revealed that Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and his associates received significant consignments of brown sugar from drug smugglers across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). They then distributed the contraband among peddlers in J&K and other parts of India. Farooq, a resident of Ibkoote village in Tanghdar Karnah, Kupwara—a village situated just 5-6 kilometers from the LoC—used his knowledge of the local terrain and topography to establish contacts with narcotic smugglers across the border, positioning himself at the forefront of the narco-terror network.
Farooq Ahmad Sheikh’s actions exemplify the deep-rooted issue of narco-terrorism in J&K, highlighting the intricate connection between narcotic trade and terrorism. His dismissal is a critical step in dismantling the terror ecosystem and restoring security in the region.
Khalid Hussian Shah ( Constable)
Khalid Hussian Shah was recruited as a constable in Police Department in the year 2009 and remained posted in District Kupwara, District Srinagar and Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK). He was a part of the infamous trio of Rahmat Shah of Haridal Karnah Kupwara and Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Ibkote Karnah Kupwara. After becoming familiar with drug trafficking networks, Khalid Hussian Shah exploited his position in the police to facilitate the smooth transportation and sale of drugs. Being a man in uniform made him less likely to be suspected, allowing him to go unnoticed at police checkpoints. He used his police identity card to avoid detection and evade searches of his vehicle, including those of his passengers. As such, his criminal activities remained undetected over the period. The law eventually caught up with Khalid Hussian Shah, when one of his associates namely Rahmat Shah was arrested with around 806 grams of brown sugar on the way to Kupwara from Karnah. During further investigation, Rahmat Shah confessed the involvement of his two associates in this syndicate, one of whom was Khalid Hussian Shah. A subsequent search based on this confession led to the recovery of around 557 grams of brown sugar from him who had hid it in the premises of his residential property. The quantity recovered is worth around Rupees 1.5 Crores in the international market. Consequently, he was arrested under case FIR No. 176/2023 under sections 8/29 NDPS Act of Police Station Kupwara.The role of Khalid Hussian Shah being involved in an extensive narco-terror syndicate in particular is concerning because he was posted at one of the most vital locations in the security grid. His posting in Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) Branch of CID made him a perfect candidate for the adversary.
“His involvement with adversaries, facilitating and supporting the terrorist ecosystem, has caused a colossal damage to the reputation of the department, society, and the nation,” an investigator said.
Rahmat Shah (Constable)
Rahmat Shah, a constable in district Kupwara,became a part of the narco-terror module that included Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Ibkote Karnah Kupwara and Khalid Shah. Throughout his prolonged service in Kupwara, Rahmat Shah became acquainted with numerous hardcore and notorious drug peddlers in the areas surrounding Kupwara and Karnah. He entered the drug trade, obtaining brown sugar from across the border through undisclosed sources.
Sources indicate that the narco trade’s influence extended deeply into Rahmat Shah’s family, with many family members succumbing to the lure of easy money. This familial involvement further entrenched his participation in the illicit drug business, making him a significant player in the narco-terror network.
“In addition to Rahmat Shah, his brother Mir Hyder Shah was also involved in the illegal trade of narcotics as obtained across the border. He was arrested in Jammu with 04 Kgs of brown sugar in 2016 and was later detained under PSA as well. This indicates a propensity of the family in general and he in particular penetrating narcotic trade, long before it reared its ugly head in the present form and shape,” Sources said.
Being one of the early promoters of narcotic trade in the area as well as taking advantage of being a part of J&K Police, he enticed a number of other people who later turned into hardcore peddlers to be finally booked under law.
“The fact remains that heroin and brown sugar, which does not grow or is cultivated in Indian Territory, is inextricably linked with terrorism and every gram of it being peddled or consumed in India comes from Pakistan through several networks with the sole aim of destabilizing the security situation especially in J&K for larger design of secession of J&K from India,” Sources further added.
Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo (Constable)
Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo was recruited as a constable in the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Executive wing in 2009. After completing his training, he was posted in District Anantnag, and in 2012, he was transferred to District Baramulla, where he served as a personal security officer (PSO) for the then Deputy Director of Health Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Chalkoo (now retired).
Over time, Irshad developed close relationships with terrorist associates in the area and began working as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) for the proscribed terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He eventually became a key logistics provider and point-man for LeT in Uri, Baramulla.
Sources reveal that Irshad’s activities were exposed on April 3, 2020, when Handwara Police, along with other agencies, cordoned off the village of Shalpora Langate in Handwara following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists in the house of Abdul Razaq Bhat. During the operation, two terrorist associates of LeT, Azad Ahmad Bhat of Shalpora Langate and Altaf Ahmad Baba of Seelo Babagund Handwara, were apprehended. A substantial cache of illegal arms and ammunition was recovered from them, leading to a formal case registration.
Upon their interrogation, five more LeT terrorist associates were arrested, including Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo. During the investigation, authorities recovered a pistol, two pistol magazines, eight rounds of pistol ammunition, and a grenade from Irshad. It was also discovered that Irshad had close contacts with two Kashmiri-origin terrorists based in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Sultan Bhat of Kralpora and Javid Ahmad of Hathlanga of Uri, through encrypted messaging applications. He had received arms and ammunition from them, which he was supposed to deliver to LeT terrorists, for which he was promised Rs. 1 lakh.
Further investigation revealed that Irshad’s involvement was not solely motivated by greed for money but was driven by his commitment to terrorism, subscribing to it both ideologically and practically. He emerged as a preferred mole for terrorists and was strategically placed at a critical border point in Uri, Baramulla, giving him access to adversaries based in PoJK.
Irshad exploited the system’s blind spots he was supposed to protect, providing effective support to terrorists with precision. His police uniform served as both a shield and a weapon, enabling him to arrange the transportation of illegal arms and ammunition without fear of random checks, as his police credentials offered a nearly impenetrable disguise. Instead of supporting his department in the fight against terrorism, which was his legal and professional duty, he chose to collaborate with terrorists, sources said.
Nazam Din (Teacher)
Nazam Din, a resident of Kirni village in Poonch, was a teacher in the School Education Department. Initially recruited under the Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) scheme in 2014, he became a permanent teacher in 2019. Despite his secure government position, Nazam Din sought additional income through illegal means, driven by an insatiable greed for money. His involvement in dubious organizations and cryptocurrency applications further highlights his unethical pursuits.
Sources reveal that Nazam Din’s greed and attraction towards secessionist-terrorist ideologies led him to engage in the narco-terror network, playing a crucial role in generating funds from the narcotic trade to support the terrorist-secessionist ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. His associate, Qamar Din, an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), frequently met Nazam Din near Bus Stand Poonch. During one such meeting, Nazam Din received Rs. 10 lakh from Qamar Din, derived from narco-terror proceeds. These funds were funneled into a spice business through an associate, Rizwan Sheikh, aiming to make the terrorist-secessionist network self-sustaining.
Investigations revealed that Nazam Din became a key handler in the narco-terror network run by PoJK-based terrorists Mohd Bashir, alias Tikka Khan, and Mohd Latief. In September 2022, these terrorists sent a consignment of 15 kilograms of heroin from across the Line of Control (LoC). Nazam Din received 5 kilograms of this heroin, intended for delivery to a Punjab-based drug peddler for a commission of Rs. 2 lakh. He established contacts with Punjab-based drug smugglers and arranged for them to come to Poonch. However, before he could deliver the consignment, he was arrested by Punjab Police on October 1, 2022, in Main Town Poonch with 5 kilograms of heroin. He was booked under case FIR No. 234/2022 under section 2-C/25/29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Special Task Force (SPF) SAS Nagar, Punjab, and lodged in Central Jail Amritsar. Later, he was shifted to case FIR No. 203/2022 under sections 8(a)/21/22/29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Poonch on a production warrant.
“Nazam Din’s position as a teacher gave him unfettered access to young, impressionable minds, making him a crucial asset for the narco-terror syndicate. His activities as a highly motivated and committed drug peddler and OGW of Hizbul Mujahideen are causing irreparable damage to society, especially the youth who are being turned into drug addicts,” sources said.
Saif Din (Constable)
Saif Din, a resident of Gullu Shingani Gandoh, Doda, and currently residing in Javid Nagar, Nikki Tawi, Jammu, was apprehended in a significant operation targeting narco-terror networks in Jammu and Kashmir. Appointed as a Constable in the J&K Armed Police in 1995, Saif Din’s long-standing involvement in drug peddling and terrorism financing has come to light.
Sources reveal that Saif Din was a habitual offender and a mastermind who skillfully manipulated the system meant to curtail his activities. Despite multiple run-ins with the law, he managed to evade serious consequences until now. During interrogation, it was uncovered that on the directions of ISI and their agents in Pakistan, Mohammad Sharief Shah traveled from Kashmir to Jammu to deliver hawala money to Jatinder Singh, alias Babu Singh, an ex-MLA, for financing secessionist-terrorist activities in Jammu. Shah was arrested during a naka checking at Tawi Bridge Vikram Chowk, with Rs. 6,90,000 recovered from his possession.
Further investigation revealed Saif Din’s involvement in the network, conspiring with Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorists operating from Pakistan, including Javid Ahmad Chalkoo and Hamidullah Khuroo. He was arrested on December 28, 2023, for his role in smuggling narcotics and distributing narco-terror funds to OGWs and other supporters of terrorism. Saif Din generated a total of Rs. 2.04 crore through narco-trade, which was funnelled into funding secessionist and terror activities.
“Saif Din’s actions reveal him as a deeply motivated and committed narco-terror operative, as well as an OGW for the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit,” sources said. An official noted the significant rise in drug influx from Pakistan since 2010, highlighting a shift in ISI’s strategy towards financing terrorism internally by involving dubious individuals in weapon and drug smuggling into J&K.
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