Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor Former Intelligence Bureau Director and one of the most formidable intelligences minds the country has produced, is a man whose life blends deep strategic thought with fearless fieldcraft. Born in 1945 in Uttarakhand, Doval grew up with the discipline of a military household his father having served as Army major which shaped his early worldview and ingrained in him a lifelong commitment to national service. A graduate of Agra University in economics and an IPS officer of 1968 batch, Doval quickly distinguished himself not merely as a bureaucrat but as a thinker-warrior someone who could plan several moves ahead, read human psychology with precision, and operate with calm clarity under pressure. His mindset is defined by meticulous preparation, the ability to anticipate adversaries’ behaviour, and a unique talent for perception management skills that would make him the backbone of India’s most effective counterinsurgency and intelligence operations. From infiltrating hostile networks, preventing hijacks to designing state-level security doctrines, Doval’s career reflects a blend of intellectual sharpness, operational courage, and strategic patience that few in the security establishment can match.

With both his family background and education steeped in military tradition, Ajit Doval gained early exposure to strategic thinking and tactical skills. His methodology is not only based on might but cognitive ability. His approach to work is shaped by years spent in difficult conflict zones, struggle, relentless hard work, a deep understanding of human behaviour. Although his responsibilities are complex, his method of working is surprisingly straightforward, built on patience, clarity, and an unbroken focus on national interest. At the heart of Doval’s methodology is quiet observation. He begins any task by stepping back and watching carefully. Instead of rushing to act, he tries to understand the real situation, the people involved, and the motives behind. This calm, watchful approach has helped him handle several sensitive challenges without escalation. For him, information is not just data it is the base on which every decision rests. Doval also believes in knowing more than he reveals. He keeps a low profile, avoids public statements. His strength lies in staying several steps ahead. This habit allows him to detect risks early and prepare effective responses. Colleagues often describe him as someone who speaks less but understands more. Once he gains a clear picture, Doval shifts his attention to deep planning. His style of planning is slow, steady, and extremely thorough. He looks at problems from all sides, considers what might go wrong, and prepares alternatives for each scenario. This careful groundwork helps him make strong decisions even in tense situations. Whether dealing with terrorism, diplomacy, or internal security, Doval’s emphasis on preparation remains the same. Another defining part of his method is patience. He does not believe in rushing into action. Instead, he waits for the right moment and uses timing to his advantage. This patience does not mean hesitation it means acting when the outcome will be most effective. He often says that real security work is more about the mind than about force. His decisions reflect this belief, relying on understanding, timing, and strategic thinking. Doval also prefers a balanced approach that mixes dialogue with firmness. He engages with people directly local leaders, police officers, community elders, and sometimes even with those who once opposed the state. He listens to them and tries to solve issues through conversation. But when talking fails or when national security is threatened, he does not hesitate to act decisively. This balance between communication and firmness is one of the key reasons for his effectiveness. A significant part of Doval’s working style is his connection to the ground. Even after taking on high-level responsibilities, he continues to meet people at the grassroots. He visits conflict-affected regions, speaks to those impacted by violence, and checks on the ground reality himself. These interactions give him a clearer picture than what written reports alone can provide. It also helps him shape policies that are practical and in touch with real needs. Despite holding one of the most powerful positions in the country, Doval works away from the spotlight. He avoids publicity and allows results to speak for themselves. Many of his contributions remain unseen by the public, but their impact is felt in the stability and security they help create. His focus has always been long-term peace rather than short-term attention.
His way of working on the ground reminds me of a notable incident from 2019, when he personally visited Kashmir, spoke directly with local residents, was even seen sharing biryani with them, and closely reviewed the ground situation to assess law and order and prevent the region from slipping into destabilisation. The episode symbolises his hands-on style of leadership, where he prefers firsthand assessments over filtered reports. It also reflected his belief in confidence-building using simple gestures like conversations and shared meals to send a message of reassurance to the local population. At the same time, his presence served as a stabilising factor, signalling that New Delhi was fully alert, involved, and committed to maintaining calm during a sensitive moment.
In simple terms, Ajit Doval’s methodology can be described as a combination of quiet observation, deep planning, patient timing, firm decision-making, and strong ground-level awareness. These qualities, developed over decades of experience, guide his approach to every challenge. It is this blend of simplicity and strength that defines his unique role in India’s security framework.
All of his soft-power skills, sharp situational awareness, and instinctive ability to read the ground have elevated his on-ground operational capacity to a level few can match. His professionalism shows in the way he blends calm observation with decisive action, never rushing decisions yet never allowing situations to drift. He studies environments, people, and motivations with exceptional clarity, enabling him to intervene at precisely the right moment. This mix of discipline, composure, and strategic foresight has made his fieldcraft one of the most respected in India’s security framework. His professional record speaks for his calm demeanour, sharp mind, and far-sighted approach, reflecting a leader who thinks several steps ahead even in the most volatile situations.
Ajit Doval’s early career placed him at the heart of some of India’s most sensitive internal security challenges. His first major test came during his posting as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Kottayam, Kerala, when sudden communal violence broke out on 20 December 1971. With tensions spiralling and senior officers unsure how to regain control, Doval stepped in. Instead of relying on force, he used negotiation, psychological reading of the crowd, and rapid intelligence-gathering to pacify the situation. His calm, methodical handling impressed the state leadership and fast-tracked his induction into the Intelligence Bureau.
His next landmark posting came in the insurgency-hit region of Mizoram in the 1970s. The Mizo National Front, led by Laldenga, had mobilised widespread support for independence. Doval worked deep within the conflict zone, cultivating trust among militant commanders and slowly weakening the insurgency from within. His persuasion of six top MNF commanders to withdraw from the rebellion became a turning point that later helped political leadership negotiate peace. This episode defined him as a rare hybrid of negotiator, strategist and field operative.
Ajit Doval’s next success came as crucial intelligence role in Sikkim’s accession to India. Tasked with assessing foreign influence around the Sikkim monarchy, he built local contacts, assessed public sentiment, and reported the growing unrest against the Chogyal. His insights helped India support democratic forces, eventually paving the way for the 1975 referendum that integrated Sikkim into the Union. This intelligence work helped India secure a vital Himalayan buffer state while neutralising foreign influence at a sensitive strategic frontier.
In the 1980s, India faced one of its most dangerous internal crises in Punjab, where militants had entrenched themselves inside the Golden Temple complex. After the trauma of Operation Bluestar, the country could not afford another violent confrontation. Doval undertook a near-impossible infiltration, entering the temple disguised as an ISI operative. His fluency in Urdu and deep understanding of militant psychology earned the trust of those inside. He gradually steered them towards surrender, allowing security forces to resolve the standoff peacefully and preventing another national tragedy.
In Kashmir, Doval’s role evolved into a blend of political and security engagement. He cultivated networks among local leaders, community elders and political actors to understand grassroots sentiment. His approach balanced hard intelligence with careful outreach, and this experience later shaped his decisions as NSA during the abrogation of Article 370. His ability to read the emotional undercurrents of the Valley, while managing security operations on the ground, became one of the most defining aspects of his domestic legacy.
Beyond India’s borders, Doval built a reputation as one of the most daring intelligence operatives the country has ever produced. After India’s 1974 nuclear test, Pakistan pushed aggressively to develop its own bomb. Doval spent nearly six years undercover in Pakistan, often disguised as a beggar, labourer or small-town drifter. Operating in and around Rawalpindi, he quietly mapped the networks surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear program, especially the Kahuta facility. He reportedly developed sources within restricted circles and transmitted invaluable intelligence to Delhi. Twice, he narrowly escaped being exposed. This mission is still considered one of the most audacious intelligence undertakings abroad by an Indian officer. In Pakistan, Ajit Doval collected a hair sample of a Kahuta nuclear facility worker from a local barber shop and sent it to India for analysis. The laboratory tests detected traces of uranium, confirming India’s long-held suspicion that Pakistan’s nuclear programme was moving rapidly toward weaponisation. This brilliant act of field intelligence provided India with critical strategic insight at a pivotal moment.
His standing rose again globally during the 1999 Kandahar hijacking crisis. As the government’s chief negotiator with the hijackers of Flight IC-814, Doval operated under immense pressure from multiple governments and intelligence agencies. Though the eventual release of prisoners was a painful compromise for India, the episode reshaped India’s counterterrorism doctrine and strengthened Doval’s argument for integrated institutions like MAC and NTRO. It is often cited that Doval foiled multiple hijack attempts between 1971-99.
Another well-known international assignment of Ajit Doval was in Iraq, where he oversaw the rescue of 46 Indian nurses trapped during the ISIS offensive in 2014. Working quietly through local channels and intelligence networks, he ensured their safe evacuation from an active war zone without a single casualty.
He was posted in London, where he monitored radical networks, funding channels, and anti-India groups. This assignment further strengthened his expertise in counterterror finance and international terror coordination.
Throughout these years, he became a trusted advisor to key political leaders such as Home Minister L. K. Advani, further solidifying his influence on India’s internal and external security policies.
Ajit Doval retired officially from government service in 2005, but his work did not slow down. Within months, he was involved in an operation aiming to apprehend Dawood Ibrahiman effort that narrowly failed due to coordination gaps at the last moment. In 2008, he was invited by the Gujarat government to help set up a university focused on internal security and policing. This initiative eventually evolved into the Rashtriya Raksha University, now one of India’s premier security and strategic-studies institutions. Soon after, Doval founded the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) a think tank dedicated to national security, diplomacy and strategic affairs. Under his leadership, VIF became a powerful intellectual hub in Delhi, shaping policy discussions and nurturing young scholars and practitioners in strategic studies.
His return to government came in 2014 when he was appointed National Security Advisor. This marked the beginning of a decisive shift in India’s national security posture, from cross-border counterterrorism operations to the handling of internal security challenges.
After 2014, Ajit Doval fundamentally transformed India’s national security doctrine, shifting it from a traditionally defensive posture to a bold and assertive defensive–offensive approach. As National Security Advisor, he championed the idea that deterrence must be established through precision and timely action. This shift became visible in landmark military operations such as the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, which demonstrated India’s willingness to neutralise threats at their source. He also oversaw discreet counterterror missions like Operation Sindhoor, reflecting his belief in intelligence-driven, limited-spectrum operations.
Doval played a crucial role in handling the LAC standoff with China, ensuring a mix of firm military posturing, diplomatic pressure, and sustained negotiations that prevented escalation while safeguarding India’s territorial interests. His approach in Kashmir combined security reinforcement with ground engagement, focusing on stabilising the Valley after the abrogation of Article 370 and curbing cross-border militancy. Another significant aspect of his tenure was his success in extraditing high-value fugitives like Christian Michel, strengthening India’s global counter-crime and counter-terror architecture.
Ajit Doval’s exceptional service across decades of high-risk operations earned him some of India’s most prestigious honours. He became the youngest police officer to receive the Kirti Chakra, a military gallantry award normally reserved for armed forces personnel an unprecedented recognition that highlighted the extraordinary courage he demonstrated during covert missions. He is also honoured with the President’s Police Medal, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and several internal commendations from the Intelligence Bureau for operations conducted in Punjab, the Northeast and across the border.
Despite his sterling record, Ajit Doval’s career has not been free from criticism and challenges. His role in sensitive operations from Kandahar to Kashmir often drew political and media scrutiny, with opponents questioning methods or outcomes. He also faced personal attacks, including defamatory allegations against his family, which were later withdrawn with a written apology. Yet, Doval’s calm demeanour and results-focused approach allowed him to rise above controversies and remain one of India’s most trusted security strategists.
Ajit Doval’s journey from a young IPS officer in Kerala to India’s National Security Advisor is a story of discipline, intellect and exceptional courage. Few Indian security professionals have operated simultaneously at the tactical, operational and strategic levels with the consistency that Doval has demonstrated over five decades. What makes Doval stand out is the blend of soft-power engagement and hard-edged operational skill. His approach combines patient observation, meticulous planning, psychological insight and a deep sense of timing. He prefers conversation over confrontation whenever possible, yet does not hesitate to act decisively when India’s security is at stake. This balance of mind and method, restraint and resolve has shaped India’s modern security doctrine in profound ways. Even after controversies, criticism, and personal attacks, Doval’s focus on national interest has remained unwavering. His post-retirement work in institution building reflects his commitment to strengthening India’s long-term strategic capacity.
Today, Ajit Doval stands not only as a veteran intelligence officer but as an architect of India’s security vision someone who transformed field experiences into national policy, and personal discipline into institutional reform. His legacy lies in the stability he helped create, the doctrines he shaped, and the generations of security professionals inspired by his example.

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