Intel expert Dinkar Gupta was sidelined in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 23

Removed unceremoniously from the post of head of Punjab Police after a political coup against then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh by Congress leaders, Punjab-cadre IPS officer Dinkar Gupta today became the first officer from the state to head the coveted National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Anti-terror ops

• Dinkar Gupta is known for Intelligence-based anti-terrorism operations in Punjab
• He led technology-based operations to bust more than 50 terror modules.
• Gupta served as the DGP (Head of Police Force), Punjab, from February 2019 to October 2021

Gupta is known for Intelligence-based anti-terror operations in Punjab. He led technology-based operations to bust more than 50 terror modules. Prominent gangsters were eliminated/arrested during his tenure.

Sidelined in Punjab due to political reasons, Gupta is up for the most challenging assignment which comes in the backdrop of renewed targeted killings in Kashmir. Besides, there is an emergence of terrorists, gangsters and narco smugglers in the country, especially in Punjab.

He is currently heading the Punjab Police Housing Corporation, a not-so-active post. Dinkar had superseded a number of Punjab IPS officers to become the DGP as he was hand-picked by Captain Amarinder.

Gupta served as the DGP (Head of Police Force), Punjab, from February 2019 to October 2021. Before being posted as the head, Gupta remained posted as the DGP, Intelligence, Punjab, which involved the direct supervision of Punjab State Intelligence Wing, State Anti-Terrorist Squad and Organized Crime Control Unit.

He did an eight-year stint in central deputation with the MHA, from June 2004 to July 2012, in which he held many sensitive assignments like heading the Dignitary Protection Division of the MHA.

He served as Senior Superintendent of Police (District Police Chief) of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts for more than seven years during the phase of terrorism in Punjab. He also served as DIG (Jalandhar Range), DIG (Ludhiana Range), DIG (Counter-Intelligence), Punjab, and DIG (Intelligence), Punjab, till 2004.

He was decorated with Police Medal for Gallantry (1992) and Bar to Police Medal for Gallantry (1994) for display of exceptional courage, conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order. Has also been decorated with the Police Medal for Meritorious Services by the President and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2011).

He has been a Visiting Professor (2000-01) at the George Washington University, Washington DC (USA), and American University, Washington DC.

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