Interview/ Nalin Prabhat, director general of police, Jammu and Kashmir
A 1992-BATCH IPS officer, Nalin Prabhat is as well known for his vast experience in counter-terrorism operations as he is for shunning the limelight. From leading the elite Greyhounds anti-Naxal force to heading the National Security Guard, Prabhat also served multiple postings in Jammu and Kashmir before he was chosen to lead the Union territory’s police force.
Since taking charge as director general of police in October 2024, he has intensified operations against terror modules. In a rare interview, Prabhat spoke about the strategies being deployed to counter security challenges. Excerpts:
Q/ How big is the threat from Pakistan, and to what extent are terror outfits getting help from there?
Pakistan’s deep involvement is evident through its extensive terror networks and terror entities. The first schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act lists 45 terrorist organisations, of which 18 have ramifications for J&K. Similarly, there are almost 8,000 JKNOP (Jammu and Kashmir Natives Operating from Pakistan), who are exploited by the Inter-Services Intelligence to orchestrate terror attacks. Pakistani missions across the west mobilise protests by Kashmiri diaspora and spread propaganda via social media, besides leveraging encrypted platforms. Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba have floated proxy groups, at ISI’s behest, claiming them to be indigenous.
Q/ What has changed in narco-terrorism since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019?
Prior to 2019, narco-terrorism was more of a secondary method of generating funds. Till 2019, drugs came terrestrially, though the Line of Control or the IB (International Border). Drone sightings were a rarity, an exception.
Post 2019, cross-border drone smuggling increased exponentially, with combo payloads of drugs, weapons and explosives. Pakistan further diversified these smuggling operations by using highly coordinated international networks involving people in Europe, Turkey, the Middle East and the UK.
Q/ Are too many agencies involved in curbing narco-terrorism? How is the coordination maintained?
Along the International Border, the BSF is the first responder. Along the LoC, it is the Indian Army. J&K Police handles the hinterland and investigations. At the national level, there is the Narcotics Control Bureau. [There is also] NCORD, which is a coordination mechanism involving all stakeholders.
J&K Police coordinates with neighbouring state police forces and national agencies. At the end of the day, most narcotics cases get busted through human intelligence.
Both the [Special Operations Group] and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force are equal stakeholders in this campaign, as narcotics and terrorism are two sides of the same coin. With Punjab Police, especially, coordination is superlative. Many accused have been apprehended from Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. The relationship is based on mutual respect and operational cooperation.
