India’s internal security and counter-intelligence agency Intelligence Bureau (IB) has got its new chief. 1988 batch IPS officer of HImachal Pradesh cadre Tapan Deka will be the new chief of the central intelligence agency. He is currently special director in the Intelligence Bureau. He will replace incumbent Arvind Kumar after his tenure comes to an end on June 30.
Deka will have a fixed tenure of two years. He has superseded his senior Special Director A Sema Rajan, a 1987 batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, in the appointment.
Meanwhile current chief (secretary) of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) Samant Goel, a 1984 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre, has been given another extension of one year in his tenure which comes to an end on June 30.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Tapan Kumar Deka, IPS (HP:88), Special Director, Intelligence Bureau as Director, Intelligence Bureau vice Shr Arvinda Kumar, IPS (AM:84), upon completion of his tenure on June 30, 2022, for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier, by granting extension in service under the provisions of All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958,” the order reads.
Deka has spent most of the career in the Intelligence Bureau. He was an Additional Director in Intelligence Bureau when he was promoted to the rank of Special Director in the Wing in June last year.
One of the most experienced IPS officer in IB and counter terrorism, Tapan Deka was appointed as the counter-terrorism operations chief in Kashmir. He was formerly appointed as Deputy Director, Joint Director, and Additional Director, Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (India). During Citizenship Amendment Act protests in Assam, Tapan Deka handled the protest to bring normalcy as per the advice of Home Minister of India Amit Shah.
Tapan Deka was the mastermind behind the investigation of the 2008 Assam bombings case. Deka also handled the investigation of Pathankot air base attack and Pulwama attack, and was the brain behind the arrest of Yasin Bhatkal, founder of Indian Mujahideen (IM), from Nepal. Deka is believed to the key official of the surgical strike in Balakot, Pakistan.
While Goel’s extension as RAW chief, indicates that he continues to enjoy the trust of the government despite the botched-up operation to get Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud accused Mehul Choksi back in India. Sources said that under Goel the external intelligence agency has been generating quality intelligence on cross-border infiltration from Pakistan which has resulted in good operations by security forces against terrorists in Kashmir.
