Latest news with #ParagJain
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Parag Jain is new R&AW chief: From Khalistani threat to Operation Sindoor, the man who delivers during crises
Parag Jain, the new Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief, started his career in Punjab during the militancy days. He was posted in Canada, where he monitored Khalistani terror modules, and most recently played a critical role during Operation Sindoor. He's known for his quiet efficiency and for talking less and listening more read more Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, is the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) India gets a new Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief today (July 1). Parag Jain, who played a big part in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, takes over from Ravi Sinha, who retired on Monday (June 30). Parag Jain is known as a soft-spoken gentleman. But one who is 'repulsed by violence and abuse', his colleagues and peers tell CNN-News18. Before his elevation to the top post, Jain served as the head of the technical wing of the R&AW, the Aviation Research Centre (ARC). He's a Pakistan expert, has taken on Khalistani networks, and now follows a fellow officer from his batch to take on the top job in India's external intelligence agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's how the IPS officer rose through to ranks to lead R&AW. From Punjab militancy to Khalistani threat, Parag Jain's many achievements Jain is a 1989-batch IPS officer who was allotted to the Punjab cadre. The early 90s were a time when the state was reeling from years of militancy. There was concern among batchmates back in the day whether the softspoken cop who studied at the elite St Stephen's College would cope. But their worries were misplaced. Jain was soon inducted into the security team of the Punjab chief minister. He also played an operational role as the state battled militancy, serving in Bhatinda, Mansa, and Hoshiarpur. He was appointed as the senior superintendent of police in Chandigarh and the deputy inspector general in Ludhiana, reports Hindustan Times. 'He [Jain] adapted, observed, and absorbed, not by becoming hardened, but by learning to be strategic, deliberate, and quietly effective. Slowly and systematically, he was known as one of the most efficient officers in Punjab,' a senior IPS officer and one of Jain's batchmates told CNN-News18. In post-insurgency Punjab, Jain gained the reputation of being calm and composed in the most intense situations. He rarely raised his voice or rushed to dominate a situation, the report says. Today, his juniors remember how his presence helped in steering the team. Parag Jain, 1989 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre is set to lead Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency. He has worked closely with Samant Goel, former chief of R&AW. — Sheela Bhatt शीला भट्ट (@sheela2010) June 28, 2025 The assignments that followed were equally challenging, if not more. Jain served as an Indian representative in Canada and Sri Lanka. During his posting in Canada, he monitored Khalistan terror networks and warned India about their growing threat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He was India's station chief in Sri Lanka at a time when the country saw a regime change. The public protests triggered by the economic crisis forced Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to leave office in July 2022. Elections were held two years later in September 2024, when Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected as the new president. The two years of political turmoil were a sensitive time, and this is when Jain served in Sri Lanka. He oversaw India's intelligence assessment and helped determine how New Delhi engaged with Colombo during this crisis. Over the years, the officer has held various positions related to national security and foreign intelligence. A specialist in counter-terrorism Jain was posted in Jammu and Kashmir and played a crucial role in the Indian government's counter-terrorism strategy. He was posted in the Union Territory during Operation Balakot in February 2019, when India launched airstrikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan's Balakot, and the Abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. It was an intense time in the region, and intel operations were the key to ensuring stability. Even as the head of R&AW's Aviation Research Centre, he was responsible for the Pakistan desk, which monitors activities of the enemy nation. Indian Air Force officers, who participated in the Balakot airstrike, fly 3 Mirage 2000 aircraft and 2 Su-30 MKI fighter planes in 'Avenger formation', during the 87th Indian Air Force Day Parade, at Hindon airbase, in Ghaziabad, on October 8, 2019. Jain was posted in Jammu and Kashmir during the Balakot airstrikes. File photo/PTI The new R&AW chief's role in Operation Sindoor Over the years, Jain came to be known as a 'super sleuth' within intelligence circles. He is an expert in combining human intelligence with technical intelligence, which has helped in several high-take operations. One of his biggest contributions to India is the role he played during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. The intel inputs, including location details, provided by R&AW under Jain's leadership, helped precision missile strikes on terror camps and hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Years of groundwork and network building resulted in tracking down and pinpointing targets with such accuracy. His extensive experience working in Jammu and Kashmir proved favourable, according to a report in India Today. The 'hardworking', 'hands-on' officer Jain is a diligent, hardworking and hands-on officer, say his seniors and peers. He is meticulous, more of a listener than a speaker, and one who asks the right questions. Mohd Mustafa, a 1985-batch IPS officer who has worked with Jain, told The Indian Express, 'Parag is a good officer and a thorough gentleman. He is hard working, hands-on and a professional officer.' Jain's quiet efficiency often finds a mention in conversations about him. 'He has always been an officer with a brilliant mind, who never fell prey to provocation or acted in haste. His actions have always been calculated and calibrated,' those who know told News18. A general view of a damaged portion of a building, after it was hit by an Indian strike, in Muridke near Lahore, Pakistan May 7. Jain played a big part in Operation Sindoor. Reuters S Ramakrishnan, a retired IPS officer who trained Jain in the police academy, remembers his dedication. 'He did not easily give up and was determined to see his training tasks through to completion. He was not the most athletic at the start, not from a sporting background, but he worked tirelessly to meet and exceed the physical and professional standards we set. His rise is not just about rank, but about quiet, consistent achievement,' he told the publication. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Parag's journey, starting from the training grounds of the Academy to the top of India's intelligence, reflects the kind of discipline, character, and resolve we always hoped to instil,' Ramakrishnan said. It's all these qualities that will hold the new R&AW chief in good stead as he takes on his most challenging role to date. After all, the road ahead is a tough one, as India faces several security and strategic challenges in a volatile neighbourhood. But Jain, who is always with a map, is set to find his way. With inputs from agencies
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
FirstUp: Marco Rubio to host Quad counterparts, Parag Jain to take charge as new RAW chief... big headlines today
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to host a Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting today in Washington, DC, that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend. Senior IPS officer Parag Jain will take charge as the next RAW chief. US President Donald Trump will attend the opening ceremony of the Alligator Alcatraz detention centre in Florida read more US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with EAM S Jaishankar. File image/AP It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to host foreign ministers from Australia, India and Japan today. Meanwhile, senior IPS officer Parag Jain will take charge as the next RAW chief, US President Donald Trump will attend the opening ceremony of the detention centre in Florida Everglades that state leaders have dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz'. INS Tamal, a multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, will be commissioned today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD July 1 will also mark the first anniversary of the anti-government student mass protests in Bangladesh. Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day. Marco Rubio to host Quad counterparts US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host a Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting today bringing together foreign ministers from Australia, India and Japan. The meeting aims to bolster efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region. It will be attended by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar , Japan's Takeshi Iwaya and Australia's Penelope Ying-Yen Wong in Washington DC. The ministers are expected to discuss shared Indo-Pacific challenges, including maritime and economic security, cyber threats and rising authoritarian influence, especially from China. Previous tensions such as disagreements over Japan's defence spending demands, Australia's AUKUS submarine program and India–US disputes over Pakistan policy are likely to be addressed as well. Rubio hosted a meeting of the China-focused Quad grouping in his first diplomatic engagement as secretary of state on January 21, the day after President Donald Trump began his second term. 'This summit builds on that momentum to advance a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,' State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told a regular news briefing. 'This is what American leadership looks like, strength, peace and prosperity.' Parag Jain to take charge as RAW chief Senior IPS officer Parag Jain is set to take charge as the chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) , India's external intelligence agency. He will be taking over from outgoing RAW chief Ravi Sinha, whose term came to an end on June 30 (Monday). Parag Jain is a 1989-batch IPS officer who was the driving force behind Operation Sindoor. File image The 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre will assume charge for a two-year term. Jain has deep expertise in intelligence operations, strategic surveillance and regional geopolitics and currently holds the second senior-most position in the agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He previously headed the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a critical wing which is responsible for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. Trump to attend opening of Alligator Alcatraz The formal opening of a new immigration detention centre in the Florida Everglades, a facility controversially nicknamed ' Alligator Alcatraz ' by state leaders, is expected to be attended by President Donald Trump today. The site, constructed on a disused airstrip within the Everglades National Preserve, leverages the region's dangerous wildlife including alligators, pythons, and swamps, as natural security to deter escapes. It's funded through a mix of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state resources. The project has taken much fire for using funds meant for disaster relief, its potential negative impact on the sensitive ecosystem of the area and costing the taxpayer around $450 million annually, reported Trump's appearance, reportedly at the invitation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, aligns with his expanded immigration enforcement agenda. INS Tamal to be commissioned The Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal , in a ceremony in Russia's Kaliningrad. The ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, alongside other high-ranking Indian and Russian defence officials. INS Tamal is the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates acquired from Russia over the past two decades and the second ship of the Tushil Class, which features substantial upgrades over its predecessors. Notably, this 3,900-tonne warship incorporates an impressive 26 per cent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile system which is capable of targeting both at sea and on land. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD First anniversary of Bangladesh students protest Today (July 1) marks the first anniversary of the student protests in Dhaka that toppled Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government. The peaceful protests by students against a quota system for government jobs was what led to students challenging then-Prime Minister Sheikh and her ruling party Awami League. People participate in a protest march against PM Sheikh Hasina, demanding justice for the victims killed in countrywide deadly clashes in Dhaka, Bangladesh. File image/AP The demonstrations were a direct response to a Supreme Court ruling that reinstated a controversial quota, which students viewed as discriminatory and a hindrance to merit-based employment. Initially peaceful, the protests quickly gained momentum as students blocked roads and railways across the country. The government's response, which included the forceful suppression of demonstrators, internet blackouts, and clashes with pro-government groups, further inflamed the situation. With inputs from agencies
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Gentle & Firm' Parag Jain To Be R&AW Chief: Peers Recount Journey From Punjab Cadre To Spy Agency
Parag Jain will take over as the chief of R&AW, India's external intelligence agency, on July 1 Parag Jain, an 1989 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre who has been announced as the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief designate, has always been known among his peers and seniors as 'measured, soft-spoken, and visibly repulsed by violence, abuse, or any form of custodial excess". Years ago, at the police academy, the moment Jain's allotment to the Punjab cadre was announced, a few heads turned. For some of his batchmates and a few squadmates, more than a surprise it was a quiet concern. Punjab in the early 90s was still ravaged and scarred by years of militancy, and a politically volatile administration, bruised by decades of armed conflict. The concern was how a 'soft spoken" person like Jain, with degrees from India's elite college, would face and manage such a situation, a senior IPS officer, and one of Jain's batchmates told News18, grinning broadly as he spoke. 'However, the assumptions did not last long. He adapted, observed, and absorbed, not by becoming hardened, but by learning to be strategic, deliberate, and quietly effective. Slowly and systematically, he was known as one of the most efficient officers in Punjab and also taken in the CM security team quickly. He rose through his ranks really fast," added his batchmate. Jain, believed to have overseen India's intelligence gathering and aerial reconnaissance during Operation Sindoor, has been the government's preferred choice for the position. Interestingly, Jain will succeed his batchmate Ravi Sinha, the current chief of R&AW from the same batch, which is a rare instance in IPS. 'I feel elated and extremely proud to have trained not one but both the incumbent Ravi Sinha and the designated R&AW chiefs. Parag's journey, starting from the training grounds of the Academy to the top of India's intelligence—reflects the kind of discipline, character, and resolve we always hoped to instil. His position today is matched only by the reputation he's earned. It is well-deserved," he said. THE OTHER FACE OF GRIT His batch-mates and peers called Jain's toughness of a 'different kind". 'He has always been an officer with a brilliant mind, who never fell prey to provocation or acted in haste. His actions have always been calculated and calibrated," they said. Jain has held multiple key positions in Punjab during its peak militancy crisis, serving as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and later as Deputy Inspector General (DIG). He has also handled critical assignments on the Pakistan desk at R&AW and was stationed in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He is called a 'Pakistan expert" in bureaucratic and security circles. His overseas stints include several intelligence and diplomatic roles in Sri Lanka and Canada, where he was tasked to track Khalistani terror networks. Throughout his career, Jain has occupied several high-stakes and crucial roles in national security and foreign intelligence In the chaos of post-insurgency policing in Punjab, Jain stood apart. His colleagues rarely saw him raising his voice, or rushing to dominate a situation, or playing to the gallery. Instead, he built a reputation for unshakable composure, even in the most testing situations. Officers who worked under him recall how his presence often changed the tempo of the team. NOW THE SPY CHIEF On July 1, Jain will take over as the chief of India's external intelligence agency, R&AW — the most discreet, and arguably the most critical post in India's security architecture. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, Jain's journey from the field to the shadows has been shaped by precision, intellect, and quiet resilience. He currently heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a critical and crucial arm of R&AW. He is often credited with playing a pivotal role during Operation Sindoor, supplying intelligence and location details which enabled precision missile strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. In a rare moment of institutional continuity, Jain now follows a fellow officer from his own training batch, and becomes the second consecutive RAW chief from that cohort. His years of experience and work in the intelligence community have been marked by a consistent emphasis on planning over posturing. Known to be meticulous and deeply strategic, he listens more than he speaks, asks questions that unsettle more than confront, and never moves without a map. 'Even his instincts feel like they've been edited down to essentials," noted a colleague who worked with him on national security planning. About the Author Madhuparna Das Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 29, 2025, 13:58 IST
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
1989-batch IPS officer, Pakistan expert Parag Jain R&AW chief, succeeds Ravi Sinha
NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday issued an order appointing 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Punjab Cadre Parag Jain as the next Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a tenure of two years. Jain will replace Ravi Sinha, a 1988-batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, as he will complete his tenure as the chief of the R&AW on June 30 and Jain will take over from him on July 1. In an order the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT said, 'The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Parag jain (PB:89) to the post of Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing (R$AW) under the Cabinet Secretariat for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders,whichever is earlier, in terms of provisions of FR 56 (d) and Rule 16 (1A) of All India India Service (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rule, 1958.' Jain is currently heading the Aviation Research Centre, which played a critical role during Operation Sindoor, by collecting intelligence about Pakistani armed forces and the exact locations of the terror camps situated in the neighbouring country.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Parag Jain is new RAW boss
NEW DELHI: Parag Jain, one of the brains behind the meticulous planning of 'Operation Sindoor', has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), officials said here on Saturday. The two-year tenure of Jain, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, officially begins on July 1. He takes over from Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30. The decision to appoint Jain as chief of the external intelligence agency was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet earlier this week, officials said. Before this, Jain was the head of the Aviation Research Centre, an organisation that deals with aerial surveillance, SIGINT operations, photo reconnaissance flights (PHOTINT), monitoring of borders and imagery intelligence (IMINT). Jain is known for his exceptional expertise in integrating both human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT) and is widely credited as the mastermind behind the planning of 'Operation Sindoor', providing intelligence support that enabled the armed forces to execute precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
