Pahalgam Terror Attack: Ajit Kumar Doval, India’s National Security Advisor and a veteran intelligence strategist, has stepped back into the spotlight after terrorists carried out a brutal attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. The strike killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Baisaran Valley, a region known for its beauty and calm. Doval immediately initiated high-level meetings, took charge of the response plan, and began shaping India’s counterterrorism roadmap. The government turned to him once again, relying on his unmatched experience from shadowy spy missions to high-risk cross-border strikes, to steer India through this national crisis.
The Pahalgam Terror Attack: India Faces a Test
On April 22, 2025, heavily armed terrorists belonging to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Meadows. Known as “mini-Switzerland,” the valley turned into a war zone in minutes. The attackers killed 26 civilians, including two foreigners from the UAE and Nepal, and wounded several others. Eyewitnesses said the terrorists, using the code names Moosa, Yunus, and Asif, questioned victims about their religion before pulling the trigger. Some accounts indicate the gunmen targeted Hindu men specifically.
Investigation Reports:
Investigators believe that the attackers entered the area days earlier and carefully coordinated the assault with precision. In response, global leaders condemned the massacre, while the Indian government launched an immediate and aggressive response under Doval’s leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, promptly cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, returned to Delhi on April 23, 2025, and immediately convened a high-level meeting at Palam Airport with Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Doval & Modi Discussions:
The discussions focused on ground-level intelligence, security operations, and diplomatic ramifications, with Doval briefing the Prime Minister on the latest developments. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also chaired a 2.5-hour meeting with Doval, the chiefs of the three armed forces, and senior officials to review Jammu and Kashmir’s security situation, signaling Doval’s central role in formulating India’s response.
Ajit Doval Experience & Expertise:
Ajit Doval’s leadership in the Pahalgam response stems from his decades of frontline experience in national security. After joining the Indian Police Service in 1968 (Kerala cadre), Doval built a reputation as India’s most formidable spymaster. Now 80 and serving his third term as National Security Advisor with Cabinet Minister rank, Doval continues to anchor India’s fight against terrorism with unmatched grit and strategy.
Operation Black Thunder (1988):
Doval infiltrated the Golden Temple in Amritsar by posing as an ISI operative. He gathered intelligence on Khalistani militants, mapped their positions, and fed them misleading advice that disrupted their operations. His actions paved the way for the operation’s success and earned him the Kirti Chakra—one of India’s highest civilian gallantry awards.
1999 IC-814 Hijacking:
During the Kandahar hijacking crisis, Doval joined the core negotiation team. He navigated high-pressure diplomacy to help secure the release of passengers, showing calm under fire and deep strategic acumen.
2014 Iraq Rescue Mission:
When ISIL captured Tikrit, Doval directed a high-risk mission to evacuate 46 Indian nurses. His coordination and quick decision-making ensured the safe return of all nurses from a war zone.
2015 Myanmar Strike:
Doval orchestrated a cross-border operation that sent Indian forces deep into Myanmar to neutralize 20–38 NSCN-K militants. He launched the mission in retaliation for the deadly ambush in Manipur, reaffirming India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
2016 Surgical Strikes:
After the Uri attack, Doval greenlit India’s bold retaliation—surgical strikes on terror camps across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This landmark operation marked a turning point in India’s counterterror strategy.
2019 Balakot Airstrike:
Doval played a key role as one of only seven officials aware of India’s top-secret Balakot airstrike following the Pulwama attack. He also coordinated with U.S. channels to secure the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan’s custody.
2017 Doklam Standoff:
Doval stepped into high-level diplomacy during the 73-day face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Bhutan’s Doklam region. His back channel efforts helped defuse the crisis and maintain regional peace.
2024 India-China Talks:
In December 2024, Doval led the 23rd round of Special Representatives’ talks in Beijing. He negotiated directly with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ultimately securing a six-point agreement to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
Taken together, each mission—whether surgical, covert, or diplomatic—highlights Doval’s unmatched expertise in navigating high-risk security challenges. Now, as India confronts the fallout from the Pahalgam terror attack, Doval’s legacy of decisive leadership continues to guide the nation’s response.
Consequently, the Pahalgam attack has pushed India’s security machinery into overdrive, with Ajit Doval taking charge at the highest level. According to internal sources, he met Prime Minister Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to drive urgent priorities across four critical fronts:
Counterterrorism Ops:
Doval launched an extensive manhunt in Baisaran, directing forces to flush out the attackers. Intelligence reports point to 42 active launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir harboring over 130 terrorists, an alarming signal that demands relentless vigilance.
Security Grid Revamp:
To prevent civilian-targeted attacks, Doval initiated a tactical overhaul of India’s internal security grid. He integrated surprise elements and rapid-response mechanisms, building on his legacy as founder of MAC and JTFI to sharpen coordination across agencies.
Global Diplomacy:
In his briefing to Modi, Doval outlined India’s next diplomatic moves. Leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump, Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the attack and pledged support. Doval’s earlier success in rallying global backing during the 2019 Balakot fallout gives India a strong diplomatic edge.
Public Reaction & Accountability:
Social media reactions remain divided. While Most of the voices hailed Doval’s quick mobilization. Following to that few critics demanded answers for repeated terror strikes under his watch. Still, many argue that Doval’s track record. From surgical strikes to international negotiations, speaks louder than the criticism.
Challenges & Criticisms: A Legacy Under Fire
The Pahalgam massacre immediately triggered global comparisons, with some likening it to Hamas’s 2023 assault on Israel. Moreover, officials acknowledged that the scale and precision of the attack even exceeded the 2019 Pulwama bombing. In response, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi openly called it an “intelligence failure” and demanded accountability.
Meanwhile, critics on X, including one internet user, questioned Ajit Doval’s effectiveness, pointing to a pattern of attacks under his tenure, from the Kandahar hijacking to the latest strike in Kashmir. They argue that, given these repeated lapses, his leadership deserves serious scrutiny. However, supporters push back with equal fervor. They counter that Doval’s decades of covert success and the persistent challenge of state-sponsored terrorism speak to his enduring strategic value. Notably, he highlighted this issue during the 2021 BRICS summit, delivering a veiled critique of Pakistan’s support for groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba.
What Comes Next: No Room for Complacency
Doval now doubles down on tracking the perpetrators and neutralizing any threats in the pipeline. At the same time, Prime Minister Modi, cutting no corners, promised, “Those behind this heinous act will not be spared,” a statement that directly aligns with Doval’s track record of decisive responses, from surgical strikes to diplomatic pressure.
In a swift move, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced relief packages: ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹2 lakh for those critically injured, and ₹1 lakh for minor injuries. Simultaneously, authorities ramped up security across Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar. As a result, candlelight vigils now glow across Kashmir, and world leaders continue to express solidarity. Amid this outpouring, Doval stands at a pivotal moment in his storied career. Ultimately, his next moves will determine whether India can turn this tragedy into a moment of reckoning and resilience.
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