Advisor Farooq foregoes security cover in 11 districts

SRINAGAR: Two days after assuming charge as the fifth Advisor to Governor Satya Pal Malik, retired IPS officer Farooq Khan became the first among the lot to forego his security cover, at least in half of the Jammu and Kashmir’s 22 districts.

Khan, a former top cop, asked police on Thursday to withdraw his security convoy during his movement within the state in Jammu region and also in summer capital Srinagar.

Khan, who played a key role in breaking the backbone of militancy in Kashmir during 1990s, wrote to Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh asking him to withdraw the convoy of vehicles accompanying him including any pilot vehicle, bullet proof escort and bullet proof sitting vehicle while moving in Srinagar city and 10 districts of Jammu.

“Therefore, Khan said, he is returning these vehicles,” an official spokesman said.

However, the escort and bullet proof vehicle will be used only during his visits to other 9 districts of Kashmir, the spokesman added.

Khan, who retired as the Jammu and Kashmir Inspector General of Police, asked the police chief to provide an ordinary vehicle for his commuting from his temporary residence to the office, the officials said.

Known for maintaining a low profile during his tenure in the police department, 65-year-old Khan said that he would like to remain close to the people.