Sacked CRPF constable Munir Ahmed with his Pakistani wife (PC: X)
New Delhi: Citing his conduct is detrimental to India’s national security, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has terminated the service of Munir Ahmed – a constable for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani woman.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the CRPF said: “In a matter of serious concern, CT/GD Munir Ahmed of 41 Battalion of CRPF has been dismissed from service with immediate effect for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national and knowingly harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa.”
“His actions were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security,” it added.
Munir Ahmed, who was posted in Jammu and Kashmir zone, was transferred to Bhopal, keeping the sensitivity of the situation erupted in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 Indian tourists.
Who is Munir Ahmed?
A resident of Gharota area in Jammu region, Munir Ahmed joined the CRPF in April 2017 and tied knot with Minal Khan – who belongs to Sialkot in Pakistan.
In 2023, Munir Ahmed sought permission from the CRPF to marry Minal Khan but the force did not give approval for the same. On May 24, 2024, he married Minal Khan through video conferencing by clerics in India and Pakistan.
This case came into light few days after the Pahalgam terror attack when India revoked visas of Pakistani nationals. She was sent back from Jammu to her country.
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At the last minute she was granted relief by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. She received a call from her lawyer Ankush Sharma when she was about to cross the Attari border on April 30.
“Munir Ahmed, who is a CRPF constable, got married to Pakistani national Minal Khan, 2.5 months ago. She came to India on a visiting visa and then applied for a long-term visa,” advocate Ankush Sharma, representing the CRPF jawan's wife, told news agencies.
Sharma added that Minal Khan appeared for an interview for a long-term visa, and positive recommendations were sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for giving her a long-term visa.
"The Pahalgam attack happened, and she didn't have a long-term visa, so she was sent to Attari border...a case was filed in the J&K High Court, and the hearing took place, the court passed an interim order...after that, she was sent back to Jammu.
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Earlier, Minal had urged the Indian government to let families stay together.
"We should be allowed to stay with the family," PTI quoted Minal Khan as saying. “We condemn the barbaric killings of innocents in the attack. They should be punished severely.”
Munir Ahmed refutes claim:--
"I initially came to know about my dismissal through media reports. I shortly received a letter from the CRPF informing me about the dismissal which came as a shock to me and my family as I have sought and received permission for my marriage to a Pakistani woman from the headquarters," Ahmad told PTI over phone from his house.
