The National Security Advisor (NSA) holds one of the most crucial positions in any country, responsible for steering both internal and external security affairs. The duration of an NSA’s tenure often reflects their strength and the extent to which they’ve fortified the nation. In Pakistan, the NSA position remained vacant for over two years, until the military recently installed its candidate. In contrast, the United States saw its NSA step down within just 100 days. Meanwhile, India stands apart, with Ajit Doval serving as NSA with unwavering dedication for the past 11 years. Here is an excerpt from his experience during the seven years he spent in disguise as a Muslim. When he was asked, ‘Are You A Hindu?’ by a Maulana in Pakistan.
The Incident
When Ajit Doval was working undercover as a spy in Pakistan, he once had a close brush with exposure. Recounting the experience at an event, Doval shared how he was walking past a large mosque area in Lahore when a Maulana spotted him. The cleric looked at him intently and suddenly asked, “Are you a Hindu?”
Taken aback, Doval denied it. But the Maulana wasn’t convinced. He called Doval over again and repeated, “You are a Hindu.” When Doval asked why he thought so, the Maulana took him aside into a private room. Once inside, he pointed out that Doval had pierced ears – a common cultural trait among Hindu males – and said, “That’s how I know. You’ve been caught.”
Thinking quickly, Doval responded that he had converted to Islam later in life. The Maulana then advised him, “You should get plastic surgery to hide this.”
But what happened next shocked Doval even more. The Maulana quietly revealed, “I am also a Hindu.” He went on to share that his entire family had been killed and, to survive, he had been living as a Muslim for decades. Despite the disguise, he had earned respect in the community. He opened a cupboard to reveal idols of Durga and Lord Shiva and told Doval, “I still worship them.”
NSA Ajit Doval
Ajit Kumar Doval is a former Indian Police Service officer of Kerala cadre. He served as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau in 2004-05 after leading its operations wing for a decade. Ajit Doval has also worked in very difficult circumstances.
As a spy and an intelligence officer, Ajit Kumar Doval worked as an undercover spy of the IB in Pakistan for a year. After this, he served for six years as an officer in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. He is the first police officer to receive the highest peacetime bravery award, like Kirti Chakra.
