In the ongoing campaign against narco-terrorism, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday dismissed a police constable from service for his alleged involvement in narcotics smuggling in Kathua district.
During the past two years, more than a dozen police personnel have been dismissed from service for their alleged involvement in narco-terrorism as part of the government’s drive to dismantle the drug mafia ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy against drugs, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Mohita Sharma dismissed Selection Grade Constable Aftab Ahmed, a resident of Reasi district, from service for his alleged involvement in a narcotics case, a police spokesperson said.
According to officials, the dismissal followed a departmental enquiry linked to an FIR registered earlier this year under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Billawar Police Station.
The constable was apprehended with heroin during a routine checking operation by a police party and was placed under suspension with immediate effect on April 8 for grave misconduct and indiscipline.
A departmental inquiry was subsequently initiated and entrusted to the Superintendent of Police, Operations, who submitted his report on July 27, confirming the charges against the accused and recommending his dismissal from service.
Acting under Rule 335 of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, the SSP Kathua ordered his immediate dismissal to enforce strict institutional discipline and serve as a strong deterrent against any involvement in narcotics-related offences, the spokesperson said.
Woman Police Employee Dismissed Earlier This Year
On April 9 this year, the Jammu and Kashmir Police dismissed a woman employee from service over her alleged involvement in a drug-related case.
Police follower Shameema Bano was placed under suspension in June 2021 following her arrest by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu, in connection with a case registered under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act involving the seizure of contraband.
A departmental enquiry was subsequently initiated.
“Upon conclusion of the enquiry and after following due departmental procedures, the SSP Baramulla, in exercise of powers vested under the relevant provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, issued an order dated April 8, 2026, removing the official from service,” police had said.
Constable Dismissed in Udhampur Narcotics Case
On April 1 this year, a police constable in Udhampur was dismissed from service for his alleged involvement in a narcotics case.
The constable, Arjun Sharma, was apprehended with heroin in his possession, leading to the registration of a case under the NDPS Act.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Udhampur dismissed him from service with immediate effect following a departmental enquiry.
The action was taken in connection with a case registered under the NDPS Act at Rehmbal Police Station.
According to officials, the constable was apprehended during checking by a police team from Police Post Tikri, and heroin was recovered from his possession.
The departmental enquiry found the misconduct to be grave. After completion of due process, including the issuance of a show-cause notice, his reply was found to be unsatisfactory.
Accordingly, the SSP exercised powers under Rule 359 of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules to dismiss him from service.
Five Policemen Terminated Under Article 311 in 2024
On April 3, 2024, the Union Territory administration invoked Article 311 of the Constitution to terminate government employees allegedly involved in narco-terrorism.
Earlier, the administration had dismissed more than 80 government employees under the same constitutional provision for their alleged involvement in terror-related activities.
According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, six government employees, including five police personnel, were terminated from service for their alleged links to narco-terror networks.
The order stated that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha invoked Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution to terminate their services.
Investigations had revealed that the employees were allegedly part of a narco-terror network operated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in collaboration with terror outfits based across the border.
Apart from a teacher from Poonch district, five Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel were dismissed for their alleged involvement in narco-terror activities.
The terminated police personnel included Selection Grade Constable Saif Din of Doda district, Head Constable Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Kupwara, Constable Rahmat Shah of Karnah in Kupwara, Selection Grade Constable Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo of Uri in Baramulla, and Selection Grade Constable Khalid Hussain Shah of Tangdar in Kupwara.