A Kerala Cadre IPS officer from the 1968 batch, the brains behind India’s ‘offensive defence’ in retaliation to Pakistan’s terror assault, Ajit Kumar Doval is the Indian Prime Minister’s 6th and current National Security Adviser (NSA). Ajit Doval is often regarded as India’s “James Bond.” He is a retired Indian Police Services (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre and former Indian intelligence and law enforcement officer.
Here are some fascinating facts about Ajit Doval that you should know as he turns 77 today.
JAMES BOND OF INDIA
Ajit Doval joined the Indian Police Service in 1968 and took part in anti-insurgency operations in Punjab and Mizoram.
According to police records, the IPS officer known as the “Indian James Bond” worked at Thalassery for a short time between January 2, 1972, and June 9, 1972.
AWARDED AN HONORARY DOCTORATE IN SCIENCE
Ajit Doval attended King George’s Royal Indian Military School (now Ajmer Military School) at Ajmer, Rajasthan, for his education. He earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Agra University in 1967. Doval received an honorary doctorate in science from Agra University in December 2017.
WORKED IN PAKISTAN AS AN UNDERCOVER OPERATIVE
Ajit Doval, who retired as Director of the Intelligence Bureau in January 2005, spent seven years in Pakistan’s Lahore, posing as a Muslim. He befriended locals attending mosques and lived among the mostly Muslim populace throughout his years in the nation. He also spied on Pakistan’s intelligence organisation, ISI, as part of his work.
5TH NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR
On May 30, 2014, Doval was named India’s fifth National Security Advisor. He facilitated the safe rescue of 46 Indian nurses who were stranded at a hospital in Tikrit, Iraq, in July 2014.
MASTERMIND BEHIND PAKISTAN AIRSTRIKE
He is well-known for leading a doctrinal shift in India’s national security strategy against Pakistan. From Defensive to Defensive Offensive to Double Squeeze Strategy, India’s national security policy has evolved. According to accounts, he was the mastermind behind the 2016 Indian strikes in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
FIRST POLICE OFFICER TO RECEIVE KIRTI CHAKRA
In 1998, he was conferred the Kirti Chakra, the highest gallantry honour. He was the first police officer to receive this award, which had previously only been presented to military personnel.
