NSA Ajit Doval in Bhubaneswar: Here's why he is known as 'James Bond' of India

The Conference of Director Generals/ Inspector Generals of Police 2024 is currently underway in Bhubaneswar. Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some of the most prominent and high-profile faces from across the nation, including Union Home Minster Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval have made their presence felt in the state capital.

While the story, history, and achievements of the PM and BJP president Amit Shah are quite well-known, the NSA supremo is an enigmatic personality and is often referred to as India’s ‘James Bond’.

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To commemorate his visit to Odisha, here are three key facts about NSA Ajit Doval that one must know:

1. Ajit Doval is the ‘Indian James Bond’

During his career, Doval spent seven years in Lahore, Pakistan, disguised as a Muslim, and integrated into the local community.

Recognized as a master of psychological warfare, Doval spied on Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, during this period.

In 1984, during Operation Blue Star, he played a crucial role by gathering vital intelligence to combat the Khalistani insurgency, with his actions and expertise in intelligence operations significantly impacting India's national security strategies.

2. Early achievements

In 1968, Ajit Doval joined the Indian Police Service, becoming actively involved in anti-insurgency operations in Punjab and Mizoram.

Referred to as the 'Indian James Bond', Doval served a brief stint in Thalassery from January to June 1972.

During this time, the then Home Minister K. Karunakaran assigned him the task to prevent the escalation of the Thalassery riot that began on December 28, 1971.

Despite being a young officer with only three years of experience, he effectively managed the situation, marking the beginning of his distinguished career in the central service.

3. PM Modi’s Trusted…

Ajit Doval retired as Director of the Intelligence Bureau in 2005 but continued to serve national security.

In 2014, under the Modi government, he was appointed as National Security Advisor (NSA) and led several critical operations, including the rescue of 46 nurses from Iraq in 2014.

Moreover, in 2015, he led a cross-border operation in Myanmar and in 2016, oversaw the surgical strikes in Pakistan.

Ajit Doval also played a key role in managing the situation after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and also managed the Doklam standoff with China.

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Currently, on a three-day visit to Odisha, Ajit Doval will guide discussions on tackling Naxalism and improving internal security at the DGP-IGP conference in Bhubaneswar, shaping the nation’s law and order strategy for years to come.