Who is Parag Jain, upcoming RAW chief and the brain behind Operation Sindoor?

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (June 28) appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre, as the next Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He will lead India’s premier intelligence agency for next two years starting July 1, succeeding incumbent chief Ravi Sinha.

Renowned in intelligence circles as a 'super sleuth,' Jain assumes the top role with a reputation for skillfully integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) with technical intelligence (TECHINT), a combination officials credit for the success of numerous high-stakes operations.

Played key role in Op Sindoor

Among his most notable recent achievements was his leadership in Operation Sindoor, where his intelligence inputs facilitated precise missile strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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While the initial missile hits may have taken few minutes, the intelligence-based groundwork took years to piece together critical information.

Parag Jain’s extensive field experience in Jammu and Kashmir, one of India’s most complex security regions, is expected to bolster his leadership as India navigates a volatile global security landscape.

Experience

Senior officials describe Jain as methodical and discreet, with a career marked by key roles.

On January 1, 2021, he was promoted to Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab, though serving on central deputation, he received only notional benefits.

Jain played a significant operational role during Punjab’s terrorism period, serving in Bhatinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, as SSP Chandigarh, and DIG Ludhiana.

He also handled Pakistan-related operations for India’s external intelligence agency, with tenures in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 and Operation Balakote. A low-profile officer, Jain represented India in Canada and Sri Lanka.

While posted in Canada, he actively countered the Khalistan ecosystem, repeatedly warning Delhi of its growing threat.

Challenges

As Parag Jain succeeds Ravi Sinha on Monday, India’s external intelligence agency faces calls for a revamp, having been criticised for its handling of the Maldives and Bangladesh crises over the past two years.

The inability to foresee the brutal attack in Pahalgam on April 22 further raised significant concerns, especially given the Pakistan Army chief’s inflammatory anti-Hindu rhetoric and his assertion that Kashmir is Pakistan’s “jugular vein.”

With Asim Munir’s elevation to Field Marshal and his prioritisation of cross-border terrorism against India, the role of RAW becomes critical in countering these heightened threats.