Udhampur: Over 5,500 police and central security forces personnel have been killed while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir ever since armed insurgency broke out in the state 25 years ago, a senior police officer said here today.

“Jammu and Kashmir Police played a pivotal role in fighting terrorism and bringing back normalcy in the state by giving numerous sacrifices.

“More than 1,595 officers and jawans of J&K Police, SPOs, VDC members and 4,016 officers and men of central security forces have laid down their lives on the alter of duty protecting lives and property of the people and upholding the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation,” Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar said.

He said Jammu and Kashmir Police has always withstood the test of time under most difficult circumstances and provided yeomen services to the people be it during the severe earthquake of 2005 or the devastating floods of 2014, terrorism or grave public disorder, Business-Standard reported.

“Despite grave provocations by separatists, secessionists and other inimical elements, Jammu and Kashmir Police has demonstrated the highest level of professionalism while handling these challenges and will continue to do so in future too,” Kumar said.

The DGP said that in order to ensure fair and transparent recruitment in J&K Police and with the view to eliminate corruption, transparent recruitment process was introduced in the state in 2015 when 4,000 constables were employed.