With the Bollywood spy thriller “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” rampaging in the movie halls and breaking records all across India, people are now acknowledging the real field agents. The spies operating within neighbouring countries are working tirelessly to safeguard our nation by sacrificing their very identity and taking risks on enemy soil; they are truly serving the country without much appreciation for the duty they do. Let’s learn about 4 such dangerous spies of India.
Many of these “unknown men” & “nameless sons of India” are living their lives in the most hostile situations, keeping their lives in great peril. These bravehearts have played a very significant role in ensuring the safety and integrity of the country. Effectively trained, ability to lay low and working silently on the mission assigned are some of the core traits which make them the true sentinels of the country.
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About India’s own intelligence agency and its agents
The espionage and intelligence department is not a new concept to India. The roots of using spies and cultivating allies on the enemy lands for one’s benefits date back to around 300 years in the era of Emperor Chandragupt Maurya and his chief advisor and administrator, Chanakya. He, in his book “Kautilya Arthshastra”, has mentioned the usage of spies and female assassins for the security of the land and empire. Concepts like poisoning and honey traps are also mentioned to extract the vital information and get the specific job done.
Over the period of time, many empires like the Rajputs, the Mughals and the Marathas used spies or “undercover agents” to ensure the identification of any foul play and malicious plots.
In the famous encounter of Afzal Khan and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, where the latter got the better hand over the Adilshahi commander, Bahirji, one of the trusted spies and allies of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj played a crucial role. He also served under his son and successor, Chatrapati Shambhaji Maharaj.
During the British Raj, to foil the plans of revolutionaries, the government used extensive ways of espionage, including rewards and bribes.
After independence, due to the betrayal and heavy casualties caused during the 1962 Indo- China war and 1965 India – Pakistan war, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was not very expeditious due to bureaucratic protocols. That’s when the need for a separate wing that has autonomy to perform was felt. This led to the formation of the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) in 1968 by famous spymaster, Rameshwar Nath Kao, also known as RN Kao.
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4 India’s Famous Spys: working behind the shadows
Many Indian Spies have operated and even laid their lives for the safety, security and welfare of the nation, without getting much due and enough for their service. Some famous spies of India are:
1. RN Kao
Mr Rameshwar Nath Kao, also known as RN Kao, is regarded as the “Father of Indian Espionage” and “The Indian Spymaster”. Born in 1918 in the central province of British India, he joined the Imperial police in 1940 after passing the civil service exam and was then deputed to the Intelligence Bureau.
After independence, He was appointed as the security in charge of the Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. In late 1950’s he was sent to Ghana to set up an intelligence bureau there and train the agents.
After the severe losses faced in the 1962 and 1965 wars, he found that IB is not adequate due to its political and bureaucratic limitations. Considering these factors, he set up an individual intelligence agency, Research & Analytical Wing, known as R&AW. He has been a security advisor to 3 prime ministers during his tenure and is known for his low-profile life.
2. Sehmat Khan
Born to a Kashmiri muslim father and a Punjabi Hindu mother, Shemat Khan played a very crucial role in the India-Pakistan War of 1971. As the last wish of her father, she was trained for espionage and was later married to an army officer in Pakistan so that she could spy for India as an undercover agent.
She managed to gather the vital military secrets and war strategies of the Pakistan army, which helped her to avoid the sinking of an Indian Navy Ship, which later turned out to be INS Vikrant by a Pakistani Submarine.
She was later brought back to India by her handlers and was recognised for her efforts. Her son became an army officer in the Indian Army.
Her story and experiences were later penned down as a book “Calling Sehmat” by Harinder Singh Sikka and was adapted into a Bollywood movie Raazi, starring Alia Bhatt and Vickey Kaushal.
3. Kashmir Singh
Another major name in the list of the bravehearts of India is Kashmir Singh. He was a former Indian Army soldier who was an agent in Pakistan with a pseudonym Ibrahim. He formerly worked as a spy on a contractual basis across the India-Pakistan border.
After the ‘71 war, when Pakistan was humiliated on the global stage for their massive surrender, there was a huge search operation for Indian agents on Pakistani soil. In 1973, he was arrested on the Peshawar – Rawalpindi highway and was accused of sharing military secrets and smuggling across the border.
He was given life imprisonment and was in jail for about 35 years. In the year 2008, on humanitarian grounds and considering the human rights, he was given release over his mercy petition. He was mentally disturbed during the time of his release, after enduring years of trauma and confinement.
4. Major Mohit Sharma, AC, SM
Inspiring the character played by Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar, Major Sharma is a true example of sheer will, courage and patriotism towards the country. Belonging to the elite 1Para SF unit, he was a trained commando.
During his posting in J&K, he not only intercepted the cross-border militants and became undercover with the identity of “Iftikar Bhatt”. He not only infiltrated the militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, but also extracted their plans and foiled their attacks.
He was martyred during an insurgency operation in the Kupwara district. He was awarded India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashok Chakra, posthumously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are the other intelligence agencies in the world?
MI6, ISI, Mossad and KGB (now SVR) are some of the famous intelligence agencies of the World.
Q2. What’s the most famous operation run by an Intelligence agency?
The “Wrath of God” executed by Israel’s Intelligence agency, Mossad, in retaliation for the 1972 Munich Olympic Terrorist attack, is regarded as the most famous intelligence operation.
Q3. Is R&AW politically controlled?
R&AW is answerable to only the President of the Union of India.
Q4. How to join R&AW?
The candidates are required to clear their UPSC exams and have to undergo special and confidential training before working as a spy, agent or handler.
Q5. Can a woman join an intelligence agency?
Though considered a risky job, women can join an intelligence agency and work as an agent or handler.
