New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) Veteran Kashmir and Punjab hands were named heads of key Indian security agencies on Wednesday, South Block said.
The government, according to an official release, has appointed Special Director, Intelligence Bureau, Arvind Kumar, as Director and the Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Samant Kumar Goel, Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW).
Considered an expert on Kashmir affairs, Mr Kumar, a 1984-batch Indian Police Services officer of the
Assam-Meghalaya cadre, replaces Mr Rajiv Jain.
Mr Goel, also a 1984 batch Indian Police Services officers of Punjab cadre, takes over from Mr A K Dhasmana. Having served in 1990 in militancy-hit Punjab, Mr Goel was also believed to have been instrumental in planning the February 2019 Balakot air strikes and also the 2016 surgical strikes..
Mr Dhasmana will retire on June 29 while Mr Jain a day later.
Both were on six-month extensions after completing their two-year terms.
The release stated that the new IB and R&AW heads will hold office for two years from the day of assuming charge of the posts or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
UNI SRJ-AKS RP1924