Current leadership vacuum within Jammu and Kashmir’s police force is not just a matter of administrative oversight; it directly impacts operational efficacy and strategic response
K. Koushal
Amid escalating security concerns, Jammu and Kashmir Police is grappling with a significant issue, wherein numerous strategic battalions and key security establishments, including the Special Security of VVIPs, are reportedly without permanent head and is functional on adhoc arrangement.
According to well-placed sources, more than a dozen strategic battalions, each comprising over 1,000 personnel, are currently without permanent head. This translates to approximately 10,000 police officials lacking dedicated leadership.
“The absence of permanent heads in these critical units could impair their operational effectiveness and response capabilities,” said sources, adding, “The leadership vacuum extends beyond these battalions. Several other security establishments, including the Special Security of VVIPs and the traffic department, are also functioning without properly assigned teams.”
This lack of structured leadership in such key areas could further complicate the region’s security management, maintained sources.
They said that historically, this is the first time that such a large number of police officials—over 10,000—are operating without designated leaders. The scale of this issue is unprecedented, marking a notable disruption in the region’s security apparatus.
Sources indicated that many Senior Superintendents of Police (SSsP) positions across armed, security, and other wings are currently being managed on an additional charge basis.
“This temporary arrangement may not provide the stable and strategic oversight necessary for effective operations and could lead to gaps in command and decision-making, especially in view of the ensuing assembly elections,” said sources, adding that the impact of such a large-scale lack of leadership could be profound, affecting not only day-to-day operations but also the strategic oversight required to manage complex security challenges.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer wishing anonymity shared that the timing of this leadership crisis is particularly concerning given the region’s heightened security challenges.
“Jammu and Kashmir has faced increasing tensions and security incidents in recent months, making effective and stable leadership more critical than ever. Filling these key positions with qualified individuals is essential to restoring stability and ensuring the region’s security infrastructure can effectively address emerging threats,” said senior police officer.
He said that the current leadership vacuum within Jammu and Kashmir’s police force is not just a matter of administrative oversight; it directly impacts operational efficacy and strategic response.
“With over 10,000 personnel operating without permanent leaders, the capacity for coordinated and effective action is severely compromised. This unprecedented scale of leadership gaps is alarming and necessitates immediate corrective measures to ensure that the police force can effectively address the complex security challenges facing the region.”
Talking to The Typewriter, former Director General of Police, SP Vaid said that the administration should not keep such positions on additional basis.
“The permanent positions should be immediately filled. The concerned administration must make officers on seniority basis as incharge heads. DPC and promotional formalities of those officers can wait,” said senior cop, SP Vaid.
Despite repeated attempts Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir Police, Rashmi Ranjan Swain was not available for comments.
