Srinagar, October 1: Nalin Prabhat on Tuesday, took over as 18th Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir at police headquarters in Srinagar.
Nalin Prabhat was received by senior officers, also top officials were present on the occasion.
A 1992 batch IPS officer Prabhat is considered as having great expertise in insurgency in Kashmir and earned goodwill within the security forces during his postings to J&K in the past. He has already served as Deputy Inspector General, South Kashmir, Ops Range, and in the Srinagar Sector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He also served as Inspector General, Kashmir, Ops Sector, CRPF. His work earned him the Antrik Suraksha Seva Padak, and the Police (Special Duty) Medal and Bar in J&K.
The outgoing DGP, an Indian Police Service (IPS) of the 1991 batch had taken over in 2023. Swain also served as Special DG CID and the Intelligence Chief of Jammu and Kashmir in June 2020
A no-nonsense officer with strategic and tactical acumen in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, Prabhat had many stints in Kashmir as a part of CRPF after it replaced BSF in Jammu and Kashmir,
Prabhat served CRPF as DIG, IG operations in Kashmir, and Additional Director General of Police. His stints were full of action as fidayeen terror had peaked in Kashmir. Besides the army and J&K Police’s Special Operation Group (SOG), CRPF was part of several operations. CRPF and J&K police were responsible for the law and order and anti-terror operations in urban areas of Srinagar while the army’s Rashtriya Riffles was responsible in villages, rural and areas along the Line of Control.
According to officials, Prabhat stated he would assume command from midnight.
A 1992-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, Prabhat brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His distinguished career is marked by numerous accolades, including three Police Gallantry Medals and the Parakram Padak.
At 55 years old, he is known for his extensive background in counter-insurgency operations, having previously led the Greyhounds, an elite anti-Naxal unit in Andhra Pradesh.
In addition to his leadership in the Greyhounds, Prabhat has served significant roles within the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including Inspector General of Operations and Additional Director General in the Kashmir region.
Prabhat’s extensive experience in J&K positions him well to navigate the Union territory’s complex security challenges, which include ongoing threats from terrorism and internal unrest.
His previous assignments have given him a deep understanding of the local security landscape, and observers believe his expertise will be crucial in addressing the region’s pressing security needs during this politically sensitive time.
