New Delhi: CRPF, countering militancy and naxalism in the country, will devise "new ways" in fighting Maoists spread over various states, its new Chief V K Joshi said here today.

"The force would "devise new ways and means for fighting naxal cadres," Joshi told reporters after taking over as the Director General of the world's largest para-military force. He disagreed with suggestions that there was lack of "professionalism" within the force to counter naxalism and said though left wing extremism was a major problem, the para-military force was fighting it successfully for last five years.

A 1971-batch IPS officer from Bihar cadre, Joshi, who was appointed as the head of the para-military force late last night, said he would soon be visiting Chhattisgarh, the worst hit state due to naxal violence. Joshi, who has also been asked to be hold the Additional charge of Director General of ITBP, brings with him over three decades of experience in the Intelligence Bureau, where he held sensitive postings.

A recipient of President's Police Medal and President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, 59-year-old Joshi will focus more on intelligence based operations against militants in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgents of Northeast and Left wing extremists. He refused to compare the present assignment with that of his previous one. "ITBP guarded our borders with China which is largely dormant...it would be a different ball game altogether for me," Joshi said.

Source : PTI