Manthali (Ramechhap) – The Indian government’s Cabinet Appointment Committee has appointed senior police officer Parag Jain as the new Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Jain will hold this position for the next two years, or until further orders are issued.

Jain, an officer of the 1989 batch from the Punjab cadre of the Indian Police Service (IPS), is currently the head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC). He played a key role in coordinating intelligence during the successful ‘Operation Sindoor’ in Pakistan. Jain takes over the position of RAW chief from Ravi Sinha, whose term ended on June 30. This appointment marks a departure from the Modi government’s previous practice, as Sinha was not granted an extension, signaling a new direction in leadership selection.

Parag Jain is known as a calm yet sharp strategic intelligence officer. He has spent a significant amount of time serving in both India’s internal and external intelligence agencies, IB and RAW, and has held crucial positions in Canada and Sri Lanka. He was also involved in intelligence operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the revocation of Article 370.

According to security sources, Jain’s appointment is seen as a critical step, particularly in the wake of some strategic setbacks faced by RAW in recent years, such as the stability of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh and the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Under Jain’s leadership, ARC achieved major success in identifying and analyzing critical military and terrorist targets in Pakistan.

Jain is recognized for his exceptional ability to coordinate human intelligence and technological data, as well as his decision-making prowess. His extensive experience in Kashmir is expected to play a crucial role in dismantling the terrorist infrastructure being rebuilt by Pakistan.

Jain’s expertise is particularly focused on strategic operations related to Pakistan and China. He is regarded as a silent strategist capable of injecting new energy into RAW by managing internal conflicts and fostering unity within the organization.

Security analysts view Jain’s appointment as a timely, strategic, and necessary move, one that is expected to enhance India’s credibility and influence in the global intelligence community.