Parag Jain Appointed New R&AW Chief: Mastermind of Operation Sindoor to Lead India’s External Intelligence
In a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s external intelligence capabilities, Parag Jain, a seasoned Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1989 Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
His appointment, announced in an official order issued Saturday, will take effect from July 1, following the retirement of the current chief, Ravi Sinha, on June 30.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved Jain’s appointment to the post of Secretary, R&AW under the Cabinet Secretariat for a fixed tenure of two years, or until further orders.
A Strategic Thinker Behind Operation Sindoor
Jain is widely hailed as one of the key architects of ‘Operation Sindoor’, the bold military campaign that saw Indian forces carry out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7.
Backed by meticulously coordinated intelligence efforts under Jain’s leadership, the operation targeted nine key terror camps, including bases of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, inflicting heavy damage.
At the time, Jain was heading the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a crucial wing responsible for aerial surveillance, SIGINT (signals intelligence), PHOTINT (photo reconnaissance), and IMINT (imagery intelligence).
He earned widespread recognition for successfully integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) with technical intelligence (TECHINT), enabling India’s armed forces to carry out surgical precision strikes.
Deep Expertise in Counterterrorism and Foreign Intelligence
With extensive operational experience in Kashmir, Jain is seen as well-positioned to lead India’s counterintelligence efforts, especially amid Pakistan’s renewed attempts to revive terror infrastructure in PoK.
His in-depth understanding of Khalistani extremism, regional security dynamics, and internal insurgencies also make him a strategic asset at the helm of India’s premier foreign intelligence agency.
Jain previously served in key intelligence roles abroad, including postings at Indian missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. During his tenure in Canada, he was actively involved in tracking and dismantling Khalistani terror modules operating from foreign soil.
A Distinguished Career in Policing and Intelligence
Throughout his distinguished career, Parag Jain has held numerous high-profile positions. He was promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab on January 1, 2021, though he was already on central deputation at the time.
He also played a critical role during the 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, contributing both operational and strategic expertise.
Earlier in his career, Jain served as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in several Punjab districts during the peak of terrorism in the state, earning a reputation for his effectiveness and resilience.
As he assumes leadership of R&AW, Parag Jain brings with him a rare blend of ground-level operational experience, global intelligence exposure, and strategic foresight — a combination India will likely rely on to navigate complex regional and global security challenges in the years ahead.
