The Punjab government has ordered a significant reshuffle within the state police, transferring Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner of Police Naresh Dogra to the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) in Fazilka with the rank of Additional Inspector General (AIG). The move, announced on 31 December 2025, forms part of routine administrative changes across the force.
Dogra, who served as DCP in Jalandhar during a period marked by several high-profile investigations and heightened policing activity, will assume responsibilities at the AIG-SSOC post. A second officer, P.P.S. Damanbir Singh, who was serving in Mohali, has been transferred and is due to take up a posting in Chandigarh.
Punjab police reshuffle and the AIG SSOC role
The AIG of the State Special Operation Cell occupies a sensitive operational position. The unit is charged with tackling terrorism-related threats, conducting specialised operations against organised crime and supporting efforts to curb narcotics trafficking. It also coordinates intelligence-led actions and high-profile investigations that require state-level oversight.
According to official sources, the transfers are administrative decisions intended to strengthen operational capacity and ensure experienced officers are positioned where their skills are most needed. The government did not link the changes to any single incident; rather, officials described them as part of regular personnel management.
Speaking after the transfer order, Naresh Dogra acknowledged his new assignment and pledged to carry out his duties with integrity. He thanked colleagues in Jalandhar for their cooperation and said he would focus on disrupting organised crime networks and countering serious threats while serving in Fazilka. The statement underlined a continued commitment to public safety and law enforcement priorities across Punjab.
Local officials in Jalandhar said the administration expects to announce Dogra’s successor as DCP shortly. Police command in the district will continue routine deployments and maintain visible patrols until the new officer assumes charge, they added. The reshuffle follows a period during which the state maintained heightened alert at various times to ensure public order.
Security analysts note that such transfers serve multiple purposes: refreshing leadership in districts, placing specialised personnel in units that require particular expertise, and ensuring that senior officers gain broader operational experience. The AIG-SSOC posting, in particular, is regarded as demanding because it requires coordination across agencies and swift operational planning.
Residents and civic leaders in Jalandhar reacted with cautious optimism, saying sustained efforts are needed to address organised crime and drug trafficking. A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the reshuffle should be judged by outcomes on the ground: reductions in crime and improved public confidence.
For now, Punjab police and state authorities will manage the transition while continuing active operations. Observers expect a smooth handover and a prompt announcement of the new DCP for Jalandhar in the coming days.
Key Takeaways:
- Punjab police reshuffle moves Jalandhar DCP Naresh Dogra to a state-level AIG SSOC posting in Fazilka.
- P.P.S. Damanbir Singh transferred from Mohali and will be posted in Chandigarh.
- AIG-SSOC handles counter-terror operations, organised crime and narcotics enforcement.
- Punjab government says the transfers are part of routine administrative measures; a new DCP for Jalandhar is expected soon.
