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The Print
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
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
News18
8 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Who Is Parag Jain, The IPS Officer Appointed As India's New R&AW Chief?
Last Updated: Currently serving as the head of the Aviation Research Centre, a crucial arm of R&AW, Jain played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor The Narendra Modi government on Saturday appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, as the new Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)—India's premier external intelligence agency—for a fixed tenure of two years. He will officially take over on July 1, succeeding Ravi Sinha, whose term ends on June 30 after what many viewed as a relatively low-profile tenure. Jain's elevation was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on June 28, ending speculation over the leadership succession in one of India's most sensitive security establishments. Currently serving as the head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC)—a crucial arm of R&AW—Jain played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, India's precision retaliation following the Pahalgam terror attack. Under his command, ARC gathered actionable intelligence on Pakistani military deployments using a combination of HUMINT and TECHINT capabilities. Over 15 Years in R&AW: Deep Domain Expertise Parag Jain is currently the second-most senior officer in R&AW, directly reporting to the chief, and oversees several high-stakes operational and intelligence divisions. With over 15 years in the agency, he has built deep expertise in: Stints In Canada, Sri Lanka & J&K: Global Intel Exposure Jain's international assignments include a critical posting in Ottawa, Canada, where he monitored radical Sikh diaspora groups and worked to infiltrate separatist networks. He was later stationed in Sri Lanka during its 2022 economic crisis, witnessing regime change and political upheaval—giving him firsthand operational experience in high-volatility foreign environments. Back home, he has served in Jammu and Kashmir, contributing significantly to the Centre's counter-terrorism strategy, especially in the post-Article 370 security restructuring of the Union Territory. Grassroots Policing To Strategic Ops: A Dual Lens Before his R&AW tenure, Jain held several key policing roles across Punjab, including as Senior Superintendent of Police in Chandigarh, DIG Ludhiana Range, and postings in Bhatinda, Mansa, and Hoshiarpur. His deep familiarity with Punjab's ground-level security dynamics, especially amid the legacy of militancy, gives him a unique advantage in handling transnational threats with regional roots. Jain was empanelled for senior central postings and granted DGP rank benefits effective January 1, 2021, further underscoring his standing within the national security hierarchy. Why His Appointment Matters Parag Jain's elevation comes at a time of rising strategic challenges for India's external intelligence community—ranging from cross-border terrorism and Khalistani revivalism to China-Pakistan coordination, and evolving hybrid warfare. With a rare combination of ground policing experience, foreign intelligence postings, and technical reconnaissance leadership, Jain is expected to bring sharper focus and operational depth to R&AW's mission during a geopolitically sensitive period. First Published: June 28, 2025, 15:23 IST
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Parag Jain, Pakistan expert set to take over as R&AW chief?
Jun 28, 2025 01:31 PM IST The Narendra Modi government on Saturday appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre, as the next Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a term of two years. He succeeds Ravi Sinha who completes his rather lackluster tenure on June 30. Parag Jain is currently heading the Aviation Research Centre, which played a vital role during Operation Sindoor Parag Jain is currently heading the Aviation Research Centre, which played a vital role during Operation Sindoor, by collecting intelligence about Pakistani armed forces and terror camp locations. Jain has played an operational role during Punjab terrorism days serving in Bhatinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur and was SSP Chandigarh and DIG Ludhiana in the past. He has handled Pakistan in India's external intelligence agency with tenures in Jammu and Kashmir during abrogation of Article 370 and Operation Balakote. An unassuming officer, Parag Jain has served in Canada and in Sri Lanka as Indian representative. Even as Parag Jain takes over from Ravi Sinha on Monday, India's external intelligence needs a revamp as it has been found wanting during Maldives and Bangladesh crisis in the past two years. The failure to anticipate the dastardly strike at Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, was noted with concern despite then Pakistan Army chief spewing hatred against Hindus and calling Kashmir the jugular vein of Pakistan. The R&AW's role becomes very important considering the fact that Asim Munir has become a Field Marshal with cross border terrorism against India high on his agenda. Given that India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan will use terrorism to strike back at India and for that India's external Intelligence needs to improve ground intelligence rather than purely rely on technical intelligence.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Parag Jain, 1989 batch IPS officer, appointed R&AW secretary
Jun 28, 2025 01:08 PM IST The Narendra Modi government on Saturday appointed Parag Jain, a 1989 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre, as the next Secretary (Research and Analysis Wing) for a term of two years. He succeeds Ravi Sinha who completes his rather lackadaisical tenure on June 30. Parag Jain, a 1989 batch Punjab cadre IPS officer, takes over from Ravi Sinha on Monday. Parag Jain was currently heading the Aviation Research Centre, which played a vital role during Operation Sindoor, by collecting intelligence about Pakistani armed forces. Jain has served as SSP Chandigarh in the past and has served in Canada and in Sri Lanka as Indian representative. Parag Jain has been posted in Jammu and Kashmir and has played an important role in counter-terrorism strategy of the Centre in the strife torn UT. He takes over from Sinha on Monday.
