New Delhi: The tenure of Samant Goel, the head of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), has been extended by one more year, the Ministry of Personnel said in an order. With this, Goel is the third R&AW chief who has got a tenure of more than three years.

Earlier R N Kao, the founder chief of RAW served the agency for nine years followed by N F Suptnook who was at the helm of affairs for six years. 

Goel, a 1984 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre, was first appointed as R&AW head in 2019 for two years. He was given an extension for one year in 2021 and again now for another year.

He is believed to have played a key role in planning the February 2019 surgical air strikes at Balakot in Pakistan that were carried out to avenge the Pulwama terror attack which killed 40 CRPF personnel. Besides, Goel is considered an expert on the situation in Kashmir. /BI/