Athar Amin Zargar Appointed Additional Secretary in Jammu Kashmir Home Department

Athar Amin Zargar Appointed Additional Secretary in Jammu Kashmir Home Department

Jammu, Feb 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday appointed senior JKAS officer Athar Amin Zargar as Additional Secretary in the J&K Home Department, assigning him the new role with immediate effect.

The decision was formalised through Government Order No. 194-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated February 12, issued by the General Administration Department (Services) at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu. Zargar had been awaiting adjustment in the GAD prior to this posting.

The order was signed by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, M. Raju (IAS), and issued by order of the Lieutenant Governor.

Government Order Places Athar Amin Zargar in J&K Home Department

With this move, Athar Amin Zargar’s appointment in the J&K Home Department brings him into one of the Union Territory’s most sensitive administrative wings. The Home Department oversees matters related to internal security, law and order, and key governance functions.

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Officials said the posting was made in the interest of administration.

Administrative Experience Across Jammu and Kashmir

A seasoned officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS), Zargar has handled a range of assignments across districts and departments.

He earlier served as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Thathri in Doda district — a tenure that required close coordination on law and order issues, disaster response management, and supervision of development activities in a geographically demanding area. Colleagues describe the posting as both challenging and instructive, given the terrain and administrative sensitivities involved.

Before that, he held the position of Assistant Director (Food) in Kishtwar under the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. There, he oversaw the implementation of public distribution schemes and monitored compliance with consumer protection regulations.

Zargar has also worked as Block Development Officer (BDO) Kahara, where he supervised rural development programmes, including MGNREGA and other centrally sponsored initiatives. Over the years, he has served in the Industries and Commerce Department and other administrative capacities, building experience across governance sectors.

Role in Home Department

With Athar Amin Zargar now serving as Additional Secretary in the J&K Home Department, he becomes part of the core administrative structure that supports decision-making on security and governance matters in the Union Territory.

The Home Department plays a pivotal role in coordinating law enforcement agencies, reviewing security frameworks, and processing key administrative matters. Zargar’s posting places him at the centre of that system.

His appointment comes at a time when administrative coordination remains crucial for effective governance in Jammu and Kashmir.