Twelve days after Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Mohammad Ayub Pandit was brutally lynched outside the historic Jamia Masjid, Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday shifted the security in-charge of moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and recalled some of his personal security officers (PSOs), besides removing some posts at his residence.

Faheem Hussian, the DySP of J&K Armed Police who was in charge of Mirwaiz security for more than 10 years, has been transferred to his parent unit. Police department has not sent Faheem's replacement to the security grid of Mirwaiz.

In addition, J&K police have recalled few personal security officers (PSOs) of Mirwaiz and removed some of the posts at his Nigeen residence.

"There is no scaling down of security from Z category for Mirwaiz. However, some extra men and posts which were there have been pulled out," said a senior J&K police officer.

Mirwaiz, however, told DNA that he was not informed when some of his security men were recalled by the police department. "Security has been downgraded. Some men have been taken out. I was not informed. I do not know the reason (for this move). You should ask them (government)," Mirwaiz said.

Mirwaiz, whose father Molvi Mohammad Farooq was assassinated by the terrorists in 1990, has the highest security cover among all the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir. Mirwaiz, who is the head priest of Jamia Masjid, enjoys 'Z' category security of J&K police round the clock.

Mirwaiz is among the eight secessionist leaders who are enjoying Z and Y category security cover by the Jammu and Kashmir government in the Valley.

Mirwaiz's advisor Shahid-ul-Islam, who is on the NIA radar over Hawala funding, has been provided Y security cover. His security detail includes five guards from district police lines Srinagar and four personal security officers from the security wing of Jammu and Kashmir police.

MIRWAIZ' SECURITY DETAILS

1 Bullet-proof car

15 constables

2 Head constables

1 Asst sub inspector

5 Personal security officers

1 Sub inspector

1 Deputy SPs

Escort