Ajit Doval has been appointed to the post of National Security Advisor (NSA) of the country for the third time. The Modi government at the Center has once again appointed Ajit Doval. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has issued a letter related to this. At the same time, PK Mishra will remain Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Modi. Thus PM Modi retained his team again.

Ajit Doval is a counter-terrorism expert

Ajit Doval, a 1968 batch IPS officer, brings an excellent combination of diplomatic thinking and operational planning to the Prime Minister. He is a renowned counter-terrorism expert. Along with this, he is also considered an expert on nuclear issues.

Ajit Doval has been working as the country’s NSA for the last 10 years. Be it the surgical strike in Uri or killing terrorists by entering Pakistan, all this work was done while Ajit Doval was NSA.

The post of NSA is at the level of Cabinet Minister. NSA reports directly to the Prime Minister and does not report to the Defense Minister or the Home Minister. According to the circular, his tenure will be coterminous with the tenure of the Prime Minister or his tenure can be terminated earlier under any other order.

Doval was made NSA on May 30, 2014, during the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He replaced former Indian Foreign Service officer Shiv Shankar Menon. Doval was re-appointed to this post in the second Modi government in 2019.

Doval has also been the head of the IB

Ajit Doval is a prominent Indian civil servant and intelligence officer who has played a key role in shaping India’s national security policy. Doval has had a distinguished career in intelligence and national security. Mr Doval, a Kerala cadre police officer, has also been the chief of the National Intelligence Bureau.

Ajit Doval Biography

Ajit Doval was born on January 20, 1945, in Ghiri Banelsyun, Pauri Garhwal, in what is now Uttarakhand.

Early Life and Education

Ajit Doval was born into a Garhwali family and attended King George’s Royal Indian Military School (now Rashtriya Military School) in Ajmer. Doval has received higher education from Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra. He later graduated with a Master’s degree in Economics from Agra University in 1967.

Career in the Indian Police Service

Doval joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1968, starting his career in the Kerala cadre. His early assignments included stints in various districts, where he quickly gained a reputation for his intelligence acumen and operational capabilities.

Role of Ajit Doval in Intelligence

Doval’s career took a significant turn when he joined the Intelligence Bureau (IB), India’s domestic intelligence agency. Over the years, he became known for his undercover operations and his ability to gather critical intelligence. Some of his notable achievements include:

1. Undercover Operations: Doval spent seven years in Pakistan posing as a Pakistani national, gathering crucial intelligence. His work in Pakistan is often cited as one of the most significant contributions to Indian intelligence operations.
2. Handling Insurgencies: He played a pivotal role in handling insurgencies in the North-East and Punjab. His efforts in the Mizoram insurgency are particularly noteworthy, where he negotiated a peaceful settlement.
3. Operation Black Thunder: Doval was instrumental in the success of Operation Black Thunder in 1988, which aimed to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

National Security Advisor

In 2005, Ajit Doval retired as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau. However, his retirement from active service did not mark the end of his contribution to national security. In 2014, he was appointed as the National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Contributions as NSA

As NSA, Doval has been central to several key national security decisions and initiatives:

1. Surgical Strikes: He is credited with planning and overseeing the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in response to terrorist attacks on Indian soil.
2. Doklam Standoff: Doval played a crucial role in managing the 2017 Doklam standoff between India and China, ensuring a peaceful resolution without escalation.
3. Balakot Airstrikes: In 2019, following the Pulwama attack, Doval was instrumental in planning the Balakot airstrikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan.
4. Internal Security: Under his tenure, there have been significant moves to strengthen internal security mechanisms, including the reorganization of the National Security Council Secretariat and initiatives to counter terrorism and insurgency.

Legacy and Recognition

Ajit Doval is often referred to as India’s “James Bond” due to his undercover work and significant contributions to the nation’s security. He has received numerous awards and honours, including the Kirti Chakra, a military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.

Ajit Doval Personal Life

Doval is known for his low-profile, no-nonsense approach to his work. Despite his high-ranking position and influence, he maintains a reserved and disciplined personal life.

Conclusion

Ajit Doval’s career is marked by his unwavering dedication to India’s national security. Moreover, his strategic acumen, operational expertise, and ability to handle complex security challenges have made him one of the most respected figures in Indian intelligence and national security circles.

PK Mishra will remain the Principal Secretary

PK Mishra is a 1972 batch IPS officer. He has been working with Prime Minister Modi as Principal Secretary for the last decade. Before this, he was in the post of Agriculture Secretary, at the Government of India. PM Modi appointed him as his Principal Secretary after he retired from that post.