IPS officer from Odisha appointed as Kashmir IG

Bhubaneswar: In a major reshuffle in police department, Jammu & Kashmir government has appointed Swayam Prakash Pani, an IPS officer from Odisha, as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range.

With the appointment on Thursday, Pani is the youngest officer in Jammu & Kashmir police to hold the post.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti cleared Pani’s name yesterday removing Muneer Ahmad Khan, who was holding the charge of IG post. Khan was posted as ADGP Home Guards and Security.

The reshuffle came just days after Srinagar hospital attack to maintain law and order situation in Kashmir valley.

The 2000-year batch IPS officer Swayam Prakash Pani (41) is currently serving as the DIG, South Kashmir.

Prior to his appointment as IG, Pani was posted in the Intelligence Bureau and National Investigation Agency.

Many militants have been killed in encounters during his tenure as the DIG. Sources said that the operations headed by him killing the militants were well planned. He had also ensured arrests of militants from encounter sites.

The young IPS officer is also commended for his relentless efforts to bring misguided youths in Kashmir valley to the mainstream. He even succeeded in seven such case.

Earlier, he was appointed as the SSP, Kulgam, 2001.