New Delhi, June 28: Parag Jain, a key strategist behind the planning of the high-profile ‘Operation Sindoor,’ has been appointed as the new head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s premier external intelligence agency. The appointment was confirmed by officials on Saturday.
Jain, a 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Punjab cadre, will assume charge on July 1, succeeding incumbent Ravi Sinha, who is set to retire on June 30. The decision was approved earlier this week by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Prior to this elevation, Jain served as the head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), an elite organisation that handles aerial surveillance, signal intelligence (SIGINT), photo reconnaissance (PHOTINT), border monitoring, and imagery intelligence (IMINT).
Recognised for his sharp intelligence acumen, Jain is widely credited as the architect of Operation Sindoor. The mission facilitated a series of precision strikes by the Indian armed forces on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7. These included targets such as the headquarters of proscribed groups, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The missile strikes were carried out using highly accurate intelligence gathered under Jain’s leadership, officials noted.
With deep operational experience in Kashmir, Jain is seen as well-equipped to confront Pakistan’s ongoing attempts to re-establish terror infrastructure in PoK. He also brings valuable insights into regional security issues, particularly in countering threats from Khalistan-linked terror groups.
Jain’s extensive career in both domestic and international intelligence includes pivotal roles during the 2019 reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir. He was elevated to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab on January 1, 2021, while serving on central deputation. In the past, he played an active role in combating terrorism in Punjab as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) across various districts.
He has also served in Indian diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. During his posting in Canada, he was involved in tracking and neutralising Khalistan-linked terror modules operating from abroad.
