Parag Jain, seasoned intelligence officer with key role in Op Sindoor, is new R&AW chief
A 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, Jain is an experienced R&AW operative who has previously worked in Canada, the hub of global Sikh separatist movement.
He will take over from Ravi Sinha who retires 30 June. Interestingly, Sinha got no extension, contrary to the practice of the Modi government to give at least one extension to top intelligence officers.
New Delhi: Seasoned intelligence operative Parag Jain, who currently heads the Aviation Research Centre that played a critical role during he Operation Sindoor , has been appointed the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
He has also worked in Sri Lanka and was one of the key officials in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Sources in the security establishment said Jain is expected to give a fresh impetus to the organisation that has seen severe setbacks over the last two years, the biggest being the failure in Bangladesh which saw the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government and India having failed to get the pulse on the ground.
The other big failure was India being taken by surprise in Pahalgam even though Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir had given clear indications of his intent to heat up Kashmir.
The last two years have also seen internal rivalry being played out within the organisation.
Under Jain, the Aviation Research Centre was responsible for getting all relevant intelligence about the exact location and significance of identified targets in Pakistan.
Jain is known for his expertise in utilising both HUMINT (human intelligenc) and TECHINT (technical intelligence) which gives him an edge in critical decision-making.
He has an extensive ground experience in Kashmir which, sources said, will come handy in countering Pakistan's rebuilding of terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: R&AW's secret war on LeT in Pakistan secures India some retribution, but Kashmir problem far from over
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