New Delhi: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has recalled an early intelligence operation in Sikkim in which a team he sent near the China border was captured by Chinese forces, saying he feared the episode had ended his career. He shared the account at IIT Roorkee’s convocation on Saturday, where he was the chief guest.
Doval said he was in his 20s and posted as intelligence in charge of Sikkim during its integration with India. A team sent on an intelligence-gathering mission was expected to return within eight days, but there was no communication even after 15 days.
He later learned from headquarters that the personnel had been captured and interrogated by the Chinese Army. They were eventually released and returned in poor condition.
An inquiry followed, and Doval said he believed his career was over. He was eventually cleared after investigators found errors in maps and sketches supplied to the team by headquarters.
NSA Ajit Doval recalls a defining moment from his 20s when an Indian intelligence mission was captured by China#AjitDoval #NSA #India #China #Intelligence #NationalSecurity #IndiaNews pic.twitter.com/FIjbli0FbU
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He recalled feeling deeply upset before receiving advice from a Tibetan Sherpa who worked with the Intelligence Bureau: know where you are, know where you want to go and know the route to get there. Doval said those three principles became a broader lesson for his life.
Doval later became National Security Adviser in 2014 and has handled assignments involving India’s security and foreign-policy matters, including the India-China boundary dialogue.
