Ajit Kumar Doval, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumes office after a blitzkrieg electoral offensive that saw Congress and its allies vanquished as never before, the dishonest and inefficient bureaucrats in the South and North Blocks are scurrying for cover. At the same time, there are officers of unimpeachable integrity and enormous potential who were thus far ignored by a scam-ridden, dysfunctional regime headed by a gentleman who would perhaps be remembered as the most unheard and unseen Prime Minister of India. Whereas there would be many brains of excellence in the Modi Team, India’s new National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval distinguishes himself from the rest in many ways. His appointment as India’s NSA sends a clear signal – nationally and internationally. It is a pointer to the Modi Sarkar’s resolve to free India from the internal and external anxieties so as to create an environment of peace and progress on which the idea of ‘good governance and development for all’ shall flourish.
Doval’s appointment as India’s NSA sends a clear signal – nationally and internationally. It is a pointer to the Modi Sarkar’s resolve to free India from the internal and external anxieties…
Ajit Doval is a man of exceptionally high IQ and uncanny abilities. He is doer, a fighter and achiever who has ventured and accomplished missions where few would dare. And it is not just ‘one of’ type of successes in his case. The chain of his incredible success stories runs through some of the most dangerous and unlikely situations. Here is one incident that explains how he stunned us by giving a simple solution to a complex problem fraught with far reaching ramifications. NSG was flown in at night to flush out the terrorists from the Golden Temple Complex at Amritsar in May 1988. There were conflicting reports about the number and identities of terrorists inside the Golden Temple complex. There was no clarity as to what weapons they had and how many innocent civilians were inside the premises. Our initial brief from the local police and state administration left crucial questions unanswered. This irked us. Nevertheless, operational plans were drawn up and by late night, we were readying to storm the complex. Just as the assault was about to go, it was suddenly cancelled. “Tiger for Two, Billa cancelled. Stand down and get back to your cordon positions,” Tiger (the Group Commander) ordered the assault squadron commander. (Billa was the code word to signal ‘launch’ of phase I of the operation).The operation was called off even before it took off because the Force Commander had received a rider from the Home Ministry – “No civilian casualties and damage to buildings will be accepted!”
Back to my position atop Temple View Hotel overlooking the Parikrama, we went into a huddle. All of us were eager to finish the operation as soon as possible and did not relish these restrictions being now imposed upon us from Delhi. Officers were now required to tell their Hit commandos – equipped with high precision shooting lethal weapons and trained to kill – to shoot but not kill! When Ajit Doval arrived there, not everyone knew him. Only a select few of us knew about this super cop’s incredible role in this operation. He gave us a first-hand account of all that was going on inside the Golden Temple Complex – the terrorists, sevadars, civilians, women and children; their falling morale, waning resistance, duels over options to surrender or fight and die and so on. These were valuable inputs. He had been inside the Golden Temple Complex rubbing shoulders with the most dreaded terrorists like Surjit Singh Penta, Karaj Singh Thande, Bhag singh, Chanchal Singh (all self-styled ‘Lt Generals’ of KCF) and Gurjit Singh, AISSF leader. In utter disregard to personal safety, he moved around all over the complex even as bullets were raining from all directions. Much later, we learnt that he had disguised himself as an agent of ISI sent for their aid.
After explaining the situation, the task and the restrictions imposed from top, we sought his views. He heard our predicament attentively. “Now, tell us”, the Force Commander asked him, “How the hell can such an operation be accomplished without collateral damage?”
After listening to our problem silently, Ajit Doval smiled and looked around. His affable countenance, cool glance and naughty smile indicated he had something funny to say – and he did. He offered a solution that appeared too simple to be operationally effective. What would stun everyone later, however, was not the spectacle of battle but the simple, subtle tactics that culminated into a success that was lauded all over the world. Not only did we compel all the terrorists to surrender but also ensured zero collateral damage. There was no casualty or injury to any commando either. Doval became the first IPS officer to be honoured with ‘Kirti Chakra’ (a peacetime equivalent of the second highest military award ‘Mahavir Chakra).
Doval’s idea of befriending and converting terrorists in J&K into counter-terrorists was another unorthodox masterstroke that was initially criticised but proved to be a very effective measure in suppressing the rising tide of militancy there.
Op Black Thunder is but one of a long trail of incredible feats accomplished by Ajit Doval. Idiosyncratically propelled from within, he has frequently endangered himself going beyond the call of duty and jumping into the jaws of Death. So often, he has infiltrated into the core of militant organisations and delivered crippling blows to disintegrate them. His role in disintegrating the Mizo National Front (MNF) Army humbled the ferocious Lal Denga who himself attributed his defeat to Ajit Doval’s shrewd moves. His idea of befriending and converting terrorists in J&K into counter-terrorists was another unorthodox masterstroke that was initially criticised but proved to be a very effective measure in suppressing the rising tide of militancy there. Kuka Parray and his pro-India outfit Ikhwan-ul-Muslemoon were borne of this out of the box strategy launched by Ajit Doval in the terror torn state. Often described as a super spy, he does not reveal all he has been through including the years he spent in Pakistan. The humility and the ethical code he has followed all through will perhaps never allow us to peep deeper into all corners of his secret world.
Thanks to his diplomatic proficiency and deft crisis handling abilities, India has often retrieved many a critical situation from the verge of catastrophe. He was the Chief Negotiatorto rescue the hostages aboard Indian Airlines flight IC 814 that was hijacked to Kandahar in December 1999. His deft negotiating skills resulted in safe return of the aircraft and the hostages from the clutches of hijackers enjoying connivance of Taliban.
In his retired years, Ajit Doval has led a very fulfilling engagement as founder Director of Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi where you would find him always surrounded by a galaxy of research scholars, writers, retired bureaucrats, defence officers, diplomats – foreign and Indians alike. Workshops, Seminars, panel discussions, book launches and presentations are the routine activities at this Think Tank. A voracious reader, thinker and analyst himself, Doval is a storehouse of knowledge. His personal library at home would be envied even by academic institutions. To hear him speak on subjects as diverse as national security, international relations, socio-religious matters, trade and commerce, economy, energy, development and so on is always an enriching immersion from where participants emerge adding a new dimension to their knowledge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a man with vision and dreams for a prosperous, powerful Bharat. He is no run-of-the-mill politician. He has the capacity to visualise a distant lofty future and the will to achieve it. Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor of India, is likewise no run-of-the-mill officer. He comes packed with abilities to conceptualise strategies and plans that shall realise the Prime Minister’s dreams and national goals. Undoubtedly, India is in safe hands on its way to a glorious future.
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I am rather surprised that an ex army officer should exhaust his entire vocabulary of superlatives to describe the alleged qualities of Ajit Doval. What he did as an IPS wallah, which is what he basically is and as a so called spy, remains shrouded in mystery. But he most certainly did botch up Pathankot Operations by trying to deploy the NSG, something totally uncalled for and exceeded his brief, especially when army formations with decades of experience in counter terror operations, could have done a far better job. But then the Army went ahead and did it. They killed all the six terrorists. Not the NSG, four of whom were injured in a grenade attack by terrorists. In the light of Uri attack on our faujis, Capt Parthasarthy, a 1965 war veteran and an ex-diplomat, asserted in prime time TV debates and from his own experiences as a soldier, that the army should be allowed to handle retaliatory attacks. The NSG should not be involved in a domain that does not concern them. He also asserted that the army would never let the Uri attack go unpunished. Parthasarthy’s words turned prophetic.
Saw the program Adrishya on EPIC channel today.
It is a relief to know that Mr Doval is on our side.
Sir proud of you.
Regards.
Please send me the name of the book written on Mr. Ajit Doval. I want read more
One of the best and most efficient Intelligence Officers of the world.
we need officers in the caliber of Ajit Doval to protect our borders both internal and international to make politicians like Narendra Modi to work for the upliftment of the poor and development of Bharat. kudos to AD
it is surprising why the governments have not utilised his services.Useless narayan was appointed as ADVISOR whcih proved counter productive.we are indeed proud of AJIT DOVAL>
Son of An army officer.
He s the Hero of da day. I like him.
Sincere salute to Sri Doval. He is of the same league as Meir Amit.
A concentrated effort combining hard & soft bargaining skills, diplomacy, building capability in gathering information, analysing intelligence and acting on it – all have been the NSA’s hallmarks. A hand picked team to train and groom the newer lot will help lay the foundation again. Salute to Mr Doval.
He will do well. Srilankan election is his first success.
Need to Concentrate how Nation can become Capable of Covert operations, how we can use Influence in other nations to catch terrorist who is involved in Anti Natl activities.
Jai Hind
Am really grateful that after 60+ yrs of corruption and selfish politicians and bureaucrats, India has true sons like Ajit Doval who are willing to give their very best for the nation.
Wish we have more like him and in all spheres of services.
MAY HIS TRIBE INCREASE EVERY YEAR, THEN THIS COUNTRY WOULD BE SAFE.
Brilliantly written article about our worthy NSA, Sh. Ajit Kumar Doval, who certainly is a rare and deadly combination of ‘Head’ and ‘Heart’. Anti India movements in Punjab, North East, J&K all have been directly and deftly handled by this ‘Super Cop’. One can now for sure hope that complex problems like Maoist issues, China-Pak issues, etc. can be handled firmly and with finesse, for the overall betterment of India, our motherland.
Nation salutes such real life heroes.
Wishing all the very best to the NSA in his future endeavours !
He offered a solution that appeared too simple to be operationally effective. What would stun everyone later, however, was not the spectacle of battle but the simple, subtle tactics that culminated into a success that was lauded all over the world. Not only did we compel all the terrorists to surrender but also ensured zero collateral damage. There was no casualty or injury to any commando either.
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So what was Doval’s simple solution?
This Article gave me Goosebumps.. I was always his Admirer and this Article Affirmed that.. I am extremely happy he is India’s NSA.. With that person sitting there with Modi I feel vindicated of my view that India will soon be a global super power and guide the world in right direction..
We are very proud of Mr. Ajit Doval thankful too that after retirement he’s happy to serve Bharat and help our PM Modiji’s vision of a strong and developed Bharat to become true. Doval Sir I’ve lots of respect for you after reading about you. Its unfortunate previous government didn’t respect ability , knowledge and was bent on destroying India. JAI HIND !
very well written post. Ajit Dobhal has come up through his efforts, sharp intelligence and death defying courage. He is the right man for the right job. He will team up well with Narendra Modi as both are visionaries and impatient to serve the country well. They are not only good communicators but men of action. Incidentally ,I am proud to know , though briefly, this courageous Garhwali, when we were studying together in BSc in a Roorkee College. He then did his disappearing act to complete his mission of qualifying for IAS/ IPS by shifting to Allahabad university. I followed suit.
He is an ex georgian student of Military school ajmer.our school has produced many warriors like him..we r proud of him..
Thanks a lot for introducing such a legend.
We are honoured, feel safe and believe that the current leadership headed by Modi will put India back in its rightful place and bring peace and prosperity to the whole world.
Good to know more about this great man.