The officers’ taking up leadership positions in the IB comes against the backdrop of the recent developments in India's neighbourhood, which could potentially pose a significant security threat to border regions of India.

The names of officers who were promoted to the Special Director rank include, Himachal Pradesh cadre IPS officer Rithwik Rudra, West Bengal Cadre IPS officer Praveen Kumar, Bihar Cadre IPS officer Arvind Kumar and Mahesh Dixit, an Andhra Pradesh cadre IPS officer. 

Developments In The Neighbourhood

The regime change in Bangladesh and the ongoing civil war in Myanmar could have an impact on the security architecture of many border states. 

This move by the Centre also comes as a bid to further strengthen the intelligence-gathering architecture of the country by fortifying the leadership positions.

As per the notification issued by the government, the promotion was formalised by upgrading the Additional Director posts held by the four officers of the 1993 batch to Special Director rank temporarily for a period of two years.

The notification noted that the officers promoted to the rank of Special Directors will get level 16 in the pay matrix.The promotion of these officers to the prestigious rank of Special Director marks a crucial milestone in their careers.

Two of the four promoted officers—Praveen Kumar, belonging to the West Bengal Cadre and Arvind Kumar, from the Bihar cadre—have earlier worked in the North-East on deputation. This exposure could help them in handling emergent security challenges, particularly after the exit of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which some fear could lead to the rise of extremism in the neighbourhood.     

Border On High Alert

Notably, Bangladesh shares a 4,096-kilometer border with India, touching West Bengal and several northeastern states, which have for many years faced tribal insurgencies and extremist activities.

According to officials in the IB, both Praveen and Arvind are considered to be capable of handling issues relating to infiltration along the eastern frontiers. 

This could also be attributed to their resourcefulness due to their development of intelligence assets during their postings in West Bengal, Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya.

Currently, sources said the border guarding force BSF and the police of bordering states of Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram are on high alert. 

The officials noted Mahesh Dixit is adept in dealing with developments concerning ‘Islamic terrorism’ in southern states, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.

The officials in the IB said since the formation of the present government and also skirmishes at the LAC, a separate China desk has come up in the agency. With the promotion of Rithwik Rudra in IB, the China desk will further be strengthened, they added.

“Though the main task of gathering intel inputs about China rests mainly with the Research and Analysis Wing, the external intelligence agency of the country, the creation of a separate desk for China in IB indicated the heightened importance the government gives to activities of the neighbouring country, including incursions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC),” an intelligence source said.

The source further said, “In some places along the LAC, we are the only official presence in the area other than the army. Though there are security forces present, we wanted to create a robust intelligence gathering mechanism.”