Latest news with #ResearchandAnalysisWing
News18
a day 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
Hans India
a day 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).
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Parag Jain, who led Pakistan desk, appointed as new R&AW chief for 2 years
Parag Jain, a senior IPS officer with decades of R&AW experience and expertise on the Pakistan desk, has been appointed as the new chief of India's external intelligence agency for a two-year term New Delhi Senior IPS officer Parag Jain has been appointed the new chief of India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), according to a report by the Press Trust of India citing official sources. Jain, who is currently the second most senior officer in R&AW, will succeed Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30. He is expected to serve a two-year term as the head of the agency. R&AW and surveillance experience At present, Jain heads R&AW's Aviation Research Centre (ARC), which specialises in aerial surveillance and related operations. An officer of the 1989 batch from the Punjab cadre, Jain brings over 20 years of experience in R&AW to the top post. He is particularly known for his deep knowledge of intelligence gathering and issues concerning India's neighbouring countries. Role during Punjab militancy and Article 370 abrogation Jain's early years in policing included key positions such as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General in Punjab during the peak of militancy. Within R&AW, he has been closely associated with handling the Pakistan desk and was actively involved in intelligence operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370, officials said. Postings abroad and anti-Khalistan monitoring Jain has also held assignments in Indian diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. While posted in Canada, he tracked Khalistani extremist groups operating from there. Officials describe Jain as a 'seasoned hand' in external intelligence with a track record of high-stakes operations and strategic insight.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Brain behind Operation Sindoor, Parag Jain appointed new R&AW chief
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 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). India hit nine terror camps across the border and Line of Control, including the headquarters of banned terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba on May 7. The missile strikes were guided by pinpointed intelligence gathered by a team led by Jain, officials said. With extensive ground experience in Kashmir, Jain is well-positioned to counter Pakistan's ongoing efforts to rebuild terror infrastructure in PoK. Jain also brings extensive experience in addressing neighbourhood challenges and issues related to Khalistan terror groups. He played a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir during the 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Throughout his career, Jain has held several significant positions. He was promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab on January 1, 2021, though he was on central deputation at the time. His career includes significant operational contributions during the height of terrorism in Punjab, where he served as SSP and Deputy Inspector General of Police in various districts. Jain has also served in Indian Missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. During his tenure in Canada, he monitored Khalistan terror modules operating from the soil of that country.
The Print
2 days 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
