Days after abductions of cops’ kin, SP Vaid removed as Jammu and Kashmir police chief

A reshuffle was on the cards in wake of the abduction of 12 relatives of militants in Kashmir last week.

Jammu and Kashmir director general of police (DGP) SP Vaid was removed from his post and appointed transport commissioner, a state government order issued late Thursday said.

SP Vaid has been transferred to the General Administration Department for posting as the state Transport Commissioner. (PTI File Photo)

Dilbag Singh, currently director general, prisons, will be acting DGP, the order said.

The removal of Vaid came two days after additional director general, CID, Abdul Gani Mir was replaced by B Srinivas, who had returned from central deputation.

On Friday, Vaid said on Twitter he was “grateful” to Jammu and Kashmir Police, security agencies and the people of the state for their “support and faith in me”.

The reshuffle came as Centre and the new governor Satya Pal Malik were not happy over the spike in the incidents of militancy in the Valley, especially the abduction of 12 relatives of policemen by the militants in south Kashmir last week. All 12 were freed unharmed after the father of a top Hizbul Mujahideen fighter was released.

However, a few days ago, Vaid has termed talk of his removal as media speculations.