Recent events have put the Indian intelligence establishment under scrutiny, especially after a high-profile incident that raised questions about its effectiveness. An indictment filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 18 in a New York court charged Vikash Yadav and his associate Nikhil Gupta with murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. The target was Khalistani separatist and Sikhs For Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York in June 2023.

Yadav, a former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer, was reportedly working with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) at the time. The incident raises concerns about intelligence oversight.

But what does the intelligence world look like? What does the job of an intelligence officer truly entail? How are covert operations planned and executed, and where do the gaps lie? Does the Pannun incident reveal deeper issues within India’s intelligence framework?

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor examine the intricacies of India’s intelligence agencies, often portrayed in a “Bollywoodised” lens of intrigue and mystery. They break down terms like “intel,” “actionable intelligence,” and “intelligence failure” and look past the sensationalised images to reveal the real challenges and operational dynamics faced by Indian intelligence.

Tune in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi