The central government has selected Parag Jain, a seasoned IPS officer, to lead the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). He will replace Ravi Sinha, with his term commencing on July 1 and lasting for two years. Jain, currently in charge of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), has played a crucial role in enhancing India’s external intelligence capabilities, specifically during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ when intelligence gathering on Pakistan’s military and terrorist activities was of critical importance.
Parag Jain’s career in the intelligence field is marked by a strong blend of field experience and strategic acumen. An IPS officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, Jain has served as the second-most senior officer in R&AW, managing high-risk operations. He has over 15 years of experience with R&AW, making him a key asset in India’s counter-terrorism efforts. His work has covered counter-terrorism operations, the internal security of Punjab, addressing Khalistan-linked movements, and monitoring cross-border migrant networks. Jain’s operational experience includes postings in Bhatinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana. He was also involved in external intelligence, overseeing the Pakistan desk and taking on important assignments post the abrogation of Article 370 and during Operation Balakot. Moreover, his international experience includes monitoring militant Sikh separatist networks in Ottawa, Canada, and offering insights on regime instability in Sri Lanka during the economic and political crisis of 2022, bolstering India’s intelligence capabilities.