"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
20 Aug 2019
We have heard about Mr. Ajit Kumar Doval in news during the Dokhlam Standoff, Balakot airstrike and recently in the revocation of the special status of Kashmir. He is a statesman and strategist par excellence who has served India selflessly and continues to do so as the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Did you know that he is also one of the world’s best spymaster and is considered as the James Bond of India? Read on to know more of this impressive and impactful person.
After completing his Masters in Economics, Doval joined the IPS cadre in Kerala which catapulted him to higher positions with greater responsibilities. He was instrumental in the termination of 15 hijacks of Indian aircraft from 1971 to 1999. He was one among the three negotiators who successfully helped to free passengers from the IC-814 aircraft that was hijacked in Kandahar.
One of the greatest skills of Doval is his ability to be incognito and draw out secrets from the enemy. During the Mizo National Front insurgency, he spent long periods incognito with the Mizo National Army in the Arakan in Burma and inside Chinese territory to ensure that Mizoram remained a part of India. He also played a major role in the merger of the state of Sikkim in India.
When militants took control of the Golden Temple in Amritsar and demanded the formation of an independent Sikh nation of Khalistan, the Government was very determined that no harm should be caused to civilians. This made the Operation very difficult and Doval played a crucial role here. He pretended to be a rickshaw puller, befriended the militants and secured entry into the temple which helped him to dig out crucial information that helped in the success of Operation Black Thunder.
In 2014, the Prime Minister appointed him as the National Security Advisor that put him directly in charge of talks with neighbouring Pakistan. Doval planned the clever strategy of surgical Uri attack in 2016 and the more recent airstrike in Balakot in 2019 which helped confirm India’s supremacy in Jammu and Kashmir.
For his courage and dedication, he became the first police officer to receive the Keerthi Chakra which is one of the highest gallantry awards. He truly is a shining star in the nation’s sky of luminaries.
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