Srinagar, Aug 2026 : Senior IPS officer Sujit Kumar on Thursday evening assumed charge as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, following a major reshuffle of the Jammu and Kashmir Police ordered by the Home Department with immediate effect.
Kumar, a 2007-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been transferred from his previous assignment as IGP Security, J&K, and appointed IGP Kashmir Zone against an available vacancy. He succeeds Vidhi Kumar Birdi, a 2003-batch officer who had been heading the Kashmir police establishment while also holding additional charge of IGP Armed Police Kashmir.
Birdi had earlier been cleared for central deputation as an Inspector General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). However, his release was kept on hold during the Amarnath Yatra. His latest movement is understood to be connected with the vacancy created in the Kashmir Zone.
Kumar takes charge at a crucial time, with security agencies in the Valley continuing to focus on counter-terrorism operations, intelligence gathering and coordination, protection of vital installations and close cooperation with the Army and Central Armed Police Forces.
He had been serving as IGP Security, J&K, since August 2024 after being functionally promoted to the IGP rank. During his tenure in the security wing, Kumar was responsible for overseeing security arrangements for protected persons and important installations across the Union Territory.
Earlier this month, Security Headquarters granted in-situ promotions to 1,028 police personnel across different ranks through a process chaired by Kumar, reflecting his administrative role within the J&K Police.
Kumar brings extensive field and operational experience to his new assignment. During his career in Jammu and Kashmir, he has served as DIG North Kashmir, DIG Central Kashmir with additional charge of South Kashmir, DIG CID Kashmir, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range and DIG Jammu-Kathua-Samba Range.
He has also served in Ladakh during his career, gaining experience across different security and administrative environments in the region.
Kumar was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2025 for deputation as a DIG in the CRPF for a period of five years. However, he was not relieved from his J&K posting and continued to serve in the Union Territory.
His appointment as IGP Kashmir Zone comes as the police leadership continues to strengthen coordination among security forces and maintain operational preparedness across the Valley.
