Operation Sindoor: How Ajit Doval Defused a War

After over four days of intense conflict, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire. The ceasefire began at 5 pm on May 10. Earlier, both sides carried out major air and ground strikes. India destroyed important air defence systems inside Pakistan. This raised fears of a full-scale war between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Quickly

However, Pakistan broke the agreement soon after it started. Explosions rocked Baramulla and several areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. India responded quickly and raised the issue at the diplomatic level.

Doval Reaches Out to China

Soon after the violations, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He clearly stated, “War is not India’s choice and serves no one’s interests.” Doval explained that India had suffered heavy losses in the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He said India had to take action against terrorism. However, he also stressed India’s commitment to peace. “Both sides want to maintain the ceasefire and restore stability in the region,” he told China.

Doval Leads Operation Sindoor

Meanwhile, reports revealed that Doval led India’s military response—Operation Sindoor. He formed a special team to collect intelligence on terror groups inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. His leadership once again came into the spotlight.

Doval’s Early Career as an Undercover Agent

Ajit Doval was born in 1945 in Uttarakhand. He studied in Delhi and Ajmer. He earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Agra University in 1967. The next year, he joined the Indian Police Service. He began his career in Kerala but soon moved to handle insurgency threats in Punjab and Mizoram. In 1972, he joined the Intelligence Bureau. His first assignment was in Mizoram, where rebels had declared independence. He worked undercover for five years. Once, army officer Lt Gen JFR Jacob nearly mistook him for a rebel and almost had him shot.

Doval Cracks Down on Punjab Insurgency

In the 1980s, Doval played a major role in ending insurgencies in the northeast and Punjab. He famously went undercover during Operation Black Thunder. Disguised as a rickshaw puller, he entered the Golden Temple. There, he collected vital intelligence on Khalistani militants.
This helped the security forces launch a precise and successful strike. Militants believed he worked for Pakistan’s ISI. But in truth, he was working for India. For this mission, India awarded him the Kirti Chakra for bravery.

Secret Missions Inside Pakistan

Doval also operated deep inside Pakistan. In Lahore, an old man at a mosque once asked if he was Hindu. Though Doval denied it, the man guessed the truth after noticing his pierced ears. In another close call, Doval was attending a mujra when someone noticed that his fake moustache was falling off. Despite these risks, he continued his work.

The Kandahar Hijacking Crisis

In 1999, terrorists hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814 to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Doval led the Indian negotiation team. The crisis lasted nearly a week. India had to release three dangerous terrorists, including Masood Azhar, to save the hostages.
Former RAW chief A.S. Dulat later said that Doval opposed the prisoner release but had no choice. “He was close to L.K. Advani and regretted the release deeply,” Dulat said.

Doval Becomes National Security Advisor

After retiring in 2005, Doval set up the Vivekananda International Foundation. This think tank supported nationalist causes. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed him as India’s National Security Advisor.
Since then, Doval has shaped many of India’s top security and foreign policy decisions.

He Planned Surgical Strikes and Balakot Attack

In 2016, after the Uri terror attack, Doval planned cross-border surgical strikes. Indian troops destroyed seven launchpads and killed many militants. In 2019, after the Pulwama bombing, Doval led the Balakot air strikes. His strategy helped India eliminate top terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Khalistani outfits inside Pakistan.

He Handled the China Standoff Too

Doval also played a key role during the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China. He led high-level talks and helped ease tensions along the border. His diplomatic and strategic skills again proved crucial.