Putting an end to speculations, the Centre on Wednesday appointed new chiefs to head the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the Intelligence Bureau. While Samant Goel will head the R&AW, Arvind Kumar has been appointed as the chief of the Intelligence Bureau.
Notably, Samant Goel was one of the key strategists of India's Balakot air strikes on Pakistan in February, while Arvind Kumar is a Kashmir and Maoist expert. Goel will replace Anil Dhasmana as the head of the country's external intelligence agency. Arvind Kumar will take over from Rajiv Jain at the top post.
Goel belongs to the Punjab cadre and Kumar is from Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Jain and Dhasmana were appointed in December, 2016. Their tenures were given a six-month extension due to general elections.
Samant Goel was the in-charge of operations for the external intelligence agency. He also played a key role in strategising the surgical strikes in 2016. Goel has also handled Punjab militancy at its peak in the 1990s. In addition, he is a Pakistan expert and his appointment as the head of the external intelligence agency comes at a time of soured relationship between India and Pakistan after the Pulwama attack and Balakot airstrike.
Arvind Kumar, special director-rank officer, has been closely involved in formulating and executing the Centre’s approach on terrorism in Kashmir.
Both the officials, from the 1984 batch of IPS officers, are expected to assume charge on June 30.
According to media reports, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by PM Modi and comprising Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved the names of Kumar and Goel for the posts.