From Pulwama Probe to G20 Srinagar; IPS officer Rakesh Balwal now takes charge of two key ranges in Manipur

4 Min Read

Asif Iqbal Naik
Srinagar, Oct 9:

Senior IPS officer Rakesh Balwal, known for his professionalism, integrity, and composed leadership in challenging circumstances, has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and assigned charge of two of Manipur’s most crucial police ranges — the Greater Imphal Range and the Bishnupur–Churachandpur Range.

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A 2012-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, hailing from Jammu & Kashmir, Balwal’s career is defined by consistent excellence in policing, investigation, and crisis management across some of India’s most sensitive regions.


Pulwama Probe: A Defining Moment in National Security

During his tenure with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Balwal played a key role in the investigation of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.
The investigation, led by Balwal, meticulously unravelled the entire terror conspiracy, exposing the network responsible for one of India’s deadliest attacks on security forces. His precision, perseverance, and ability to coordinate with multiple intelligence and enforcement agencies earned him widespread recognition at the national level.


SSP Srinagar: Steering Through Sensitive Times

As Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar, Balwal led from the front in maintaining law and order in one of the most sensitive urban centers in the country. His initiatives in crowd management, counter-radicalisation, and community policing helped enhance public trust in the police.

A major highlight of his tenure was the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in May 2023 — the first major international event in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370.
Under his leadership, multi-layered security arrangements ensured the event was peaceful and incident-free, earning appreciation from both the administration and participating nations.


Repatriation to Manipur: Leadership Amid Crisis

In late 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended his premature repatriation from the AGMUT cadre to his parent Manipur cadre as part of the Centre’s efforts to strengthen the state’s policing during the ethnic unrest that erupted in May 2023, which had claimed at least 176 lives.

Balwal was among 40 IPS officers deployed to Manipur following the decision of the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet, reflecting the government’s confidence in his crisis management and operational leadership.

He was initially posted as SSP Imphal East, which covers the capital district and key administrative hubs of Manipur, before being promoted to the DIG rank.


Overseeing Two Vital Ranges

As DIG Greater Imphal Range and DIG Bishnupur–Churachandpur Range, Balwal now commands two of Manipur’s most sensitive and strategically important police divisions:

  • Greater Imphal Range:
    Encompasses Imphal East and West districts, the administrative, political, and economic heart of Manipur, including the state secretariat, major government offices, and vital transport and communication networks.
  • Bishnupur–Churachandpur Range:
    Covers ethnically diverse hill districts that have often faced inter-community tensions, making conflict mitigation, law enforcement coordination, and community outreach key priorities.

Dynamic Leadership and People-Centric Policing

Known for his calm, analytical, and people-first approach, DIG Rakesh Balwal has demonstrated remarkable versatility — from terror investigations and urban policing to international event security and conflict zone management.

His promotion stands as recognition of his dedication, professionalism, and leadership, reaffirming his reputation as one of the most capable and trusted IPS officers in the AGMUT cadre, now playing a crucial role in strengthening peace and stability in Manipur.

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