Indian-controlled Kashmir police chief Shesh Paul Vaid was removed from his post and Dilbag Singh will be the region's new director general of police, officials said Friday.

The reshuffle at the top level was made Thursday night.

"S P Vaid is transferred and his services are placed at the disposal of General Administration Department for further posting as Transport Commissioner," a senior government said.

"Dilbag Singh shall hold the charge of the post of Director General in addition to his own duties, till a regular arrangement is made."

Vaid's removal has come days after militants carried out abductions of policemen and their relatives. Video messages released from the abductees revealed that they were taken captive in response to the alleged detention of family members of militants at the hands of police.

They were set free hours after the police quietly released around a dozen family members of terrorists, including the father of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo.

Earlier, the region's intelligence chief Abdul Gani Mir was also replaced.

Last month Satyapal Malik was appointed governor of Indian-controlled Kashmir, replacing Narinder Nath Vohra.