Prasad J&K new DG

Senior Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ashok Prasad Monday took over as new Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police.

Sources told Deccan Herald that Prasad met Omar this afternoon and the two held detailed discussion on matters relating to internal security and other sensitive issues.

Prasad, a 1979 batch IPS officer from Andhra Pradesh cadre, will be chief of the 1.2 lakh strong J&K Police force. A Post Graduate in Hindi, his service is till January 2016.

Prasad replaced the Addition Director General of Police (ADGP) K Rajendra Kumar who had taken over as the officiating DGP after the retirement of Kuldeep Khoda on May 31 this year.

Prasad was chosen by the Ministry of Home Affairs and JK government jointly for his posting as the new DGP in last week of May.

However, due to last minute procedural difficulties, Prasad’s services were kept at the disposal of the state after he handed over the charge in IB.

Prasad was posted in Kashmir four years ago and for three years he remained as Deputy Director IB.

Last year he was elevated as Additional Director IB Kashmir.

He was the first secretary in the Indian embassy in Nepal in 1995-99 and is recipient of the President’s Police Medal for meritorious services and the President’s Police Medal for distinguished services.

A native of Bihar, Prasad was among few top ranking officers of IB after premier agency’s Director, Nehchal Sandhu, a 1974 batch IPS officer.

He has served in militancy hit Punjab and naxal hit states also.

“Situation in Kashmir has changed for good. Violence and infiltration has also decreased,” Prasad said.

“J&K police has achieved many successes on different fronts during the last 22
years and the pace of success would continue with the cooperation of people,” the new DG added.