Parag Jain, a 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Punjab cadre, has been appointed the new Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s external intelligence agency. He will formally take charge on July 1, succeeding outgoing chief Ravi Sinha, whose tenure ends on June 30.

The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet earlier this week. Jain will serve a fixed two-year term, though this may be extended at the government’s discretion.

Architect of Operation Sindoor

Jain is widely recognised as the brain behind Operation Sindoor, the high-profile cross-border military campaign in which India struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, including headquarters of terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The missile strikes were guided by highly precise intelligence, generated under Jain’s leadership.

Officials say Jain’s mastery in combining human intelligence (HUMINT) with technical intelligence (TECHINT) played a decisive role in the success of the operation. His efforts provided Indian forces with real-time, actionable information, enabling pin-point targeting of terror infrastructure.

Neighbourhood expert and ARC head

Until his elevation, Jain headed RAW’s Aviation Research Centre (ARC), responsible for aerial surveillance, signal intelligence (SIGINT), photo reconnaissance (PHOTINT), and imagery intelligence (IMINT). He has over two decades of experience within RAW and is seen as one of the agency’s most seasoned insiders.

Jain has been instrumental in monitoring Pakistan’s terror activities, especially attempts to revive infrastructure in PoK. His deep familiarity with South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics makes him well-positioned to manage India’s complex neighbourhood challenges.

Vast experience in Kashmir and anti-Khalistan operations

Jain played a key intelligence role during the 2019 reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, contributing to internal security planning around the abrogation of Article 370. Earlier in his career, he served in Kashmir and also held the Pakistan desk within RAW, handling sensitive cross-border intelligence operations.

In the early 1990s and 2000s, Jain served as SSP and DIG in Punjab during the peak of insurgency. He was promoted to Director General of Police (DGP) in January 2021, though he was already on central deputation by then.

Jain also brings international experience, having served in Indian missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. While in Canada, he closely monitored Khalistani terror modules and diaspora-based extremist networks.

Strategic pick for a volatile time

Parag Jain’s appointment comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, with India facing complex threats across borders and in cyberspace. His expertise in integrating aerial surveillance, field intelligence, and regional geopolitics is expected to define RAW’s posture over the next two years.

The government’s move is being seen as a signal of continuity and confidence in RAW’s current strategic direction — with Jain poised to steer the agency through its most pressing security and intelligence challenges.