Overview of Ajit Doval's significant role in Indian intelligence and national security.
Notable moments and strategies throughout his career.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 20, 1945, in Uttarakhand.
Family background: Father was a Major in the Army; Mother was related to former UP CM HN Bahuguna.
Completed schooling at Indian Military Boarding School in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Graduated with a Master's in Economics from Agra University in 1967.
Cracked UPSC in 1968 at the age of 22, joining Indian Police Service (IPS).
Rise in the Police Force
Became ASP in Kottayam district, Kerala.
Gained fame in 1972 for successfully handling riots in Thalassery, using strategic negotiation and intelligence gathering techniques.
Promoted to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for direct operations post success in Kerala.
Key Operations
Mizoram Crisis (1972-1974)
Sent to Mizoram to tackle the Mizo National Front (MNF) and Lal Denga's insurgency.
Developed relationships with 7 commanders, convincing them to align with India, leading to peace talks.
Resulted in Mizoram gaining statehood with Lal Denga becoming CM.
Sikkim's Integration (1975)
Tasked with supporting local political parties against the king of Sikkim, who was aligned with US interests.
Helped Kazi Dorjee rise in political stature, leading to Sikkim's integration into India by 1975.
Received the President's Police Medal within just 7 years for his contributions.
Operations in Pakistan
Spent 6-7 years in Pakistan as an undercover agent to monitor nuclear activities.
Contributed to various intelligence operations including significant infiltration and gathering intel.
Operation Black Thunder (1988)
Instrumental in negotiating the surrender of militants from Golden Temple, using disguise and intelligence to outmaneuver the situation.
IC-814 Hijacking (1999)
Played a key role in negotiating with hijackers, ultimately leading to the release of Indian passengers in exchange for freeing 3 militants from Indian prisons.
Strengthened national security policies post-incident.
Shift in Political Dynamics
Instrumental in facilitating the creation of the PDP party in Kashmir, leading to controversial political outcomes.
Allegations arose due to close ties with political figures and involvement in intelligence work, leading to scrutiny from Congress-led governments.
Later Career
Retired in 2005 but continued influencing national security discussions and operations through think tanks and universities.
Helped found the Vivekananda International Foundation, focusing on national security research.
National Security Advisor (NSA)
Appointed NSA under BJP government, leading to major operations like the rescue of nurses from Iraq, and overseeing significant military actions such as Uri and Balakot strikes.
Advocated for a shift from a defensive to a defensive-offensive strategy in national security.
Legacy and Impact
Regarded as a master strategist or "Chanakya" of modern Indian security.
Despite controversies, maintained strong influence in national politics and security.
Developed a reputation for being a strategic thinker in national and international intelligence.
Conclusion
Ajit Doval remains a central figure in India's security framework, balancing internal challenges and external threats, with significant political connections influencing his operations and strategies.