New Delhi: Senior IPS officer Parag Jain, known for his pivotal role in intelligence gathering during Operation Sindoor, has been appointed as the next chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s external intelligence agency, NDTV reported.

Jain, who currently serves as the second-in-command in RAW and heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC)—responsible for aerial surveillance—is set to take over from outgoing chief Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30.

He will serve a two-year term in his new role.

His appointment follows a high-profile counter-terror operation earlier this year.

After 26 civilians were killed in an attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, India blamed Pakistan-based actors and launched cross-border strikes under the codename Operation Sindoor.

The offensive ended in a ceasefire on May 10 after four days of intense engagement. Pakistan denied involvement and demanded an independent investigation.

A 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, Jain has over 20 years of experience within RAW and is widely regarded for his operational acumen.

During the height of terrorism in Punjab, he held several senior police positions, including as SSP and DIG across key districts.

Within RAW, Jain is best known for his work on the Pakistan desk, including his deployment in Jammu and Kashmir during the sensitive period following the abrogation of Article 370.

He has also served in India’s missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. In Canada, he is credited with monitoring Khalistani extremist networks, sources added.