Parag Jain, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India's external intelligence agency. He is set to assume office on July 1, 2025, for a fixed two-year term, succeeding Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30. The decision to appoint Jain was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Jain is widely recognized for his crucial role in the meticulous planning and execution of 'Operation Sindoor'. This operation involved precision missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Intelligence inputs gathered under his leadership were instrumental in enabling the armed forces to carry out these strikes. Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror camps across the border and Line of Control, including the headquarters of banned terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The success of this operation has been hailed as a benchmark for surgical strikes, solidifying Jain's reputation as a "super sleuth" within intelligence circles.
Prior to his appointment as R&AW chief, Jain headed the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), an organization that deals with aerial surveillance, SIGINT operations, photo reconnaissance flights (PHOTINT), monitoring of borders, and imagery intelligence (IMINT). The ARC played a vital role during Operation Sindoor by collecting intelligence on Pakistani armed forces. Jain is known for his exceptional expertise in integrating both human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT), a combination that has been crucial in several high-stakes operations.
Jain's career includes significant operational contributions during the peak of terrorism in Punjab, where he served as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in various districts. He has also served in Indian Missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. During his tenure in Canada, he monitored Khalistani terror modules operating from the country, and repeatedly warned Delhi that it was morphing into something dangerous. Furthermore, Jain has extensive experience in addressing neighborhood 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. He was also posted in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 and Operation Balakot.
With over two decades of experience within R&AW, Jain has held several critical roles, including leading the Pakistan desk. His extensive ground experience in Kashmir positions him well to counter Pakistan's ongoing efforts to rebuild terror infrastructure in PoK.
Jain's appointment comes at a time when India's external security dynamics are complex and closely linked to evolving geopolitical developments. His experience in handling Pakistan-centric operations, particularly Operation Sindoor, is expected to be invaluable in his new role. As RAW chief, Jain is expected to prioritize intelligence operations targeting cross-border terrorism and regional instability.
