Virk retires,Roy given charge

Identifying terrorism as the biggest challenge he faced during his tenure,Virk said,“The state was recovering from a terror attack and there was a need to build our capabilities in order to stand the test of time. We have done so slowly and steadily and are better prepared today. However,a lot more can be done.”

“There are groups prepared in each unit,district and commissionerate that will be ready to fight a terror attack in future. There are new SOPs in place with men earmarked for different responsibilities,” said Virk.

The 1970-batch officer has served as Punjab DGP as well. He was sent to Punjab on deputation in the 1980s when militancy was at its peak there. Faced with the task of flushing out militants holed up in the Golden Temple,he received a bullet in a gunbattle during Operation Black Thunder II in 1988. He was repatriated to his parent cadre after allegations of misconduct were levelled against him by the Akali Dal government in Punjab and was appointed Maharashtra DGP on March 13 this year.

Asked whether there was any difference in terrorism in the two states,he said,“Both are fundamentalist movements and have religious overtones. While Sikh militancy had limited support base,that for pan-Islamic terrorism is much wider.”