📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Department of State from United States
Defence
Ajit Doval Remembers Sikkim Intelligence Crisis: Indian Operatives Held by China
✍️ NDTV
🗓 19 Sep 2026, 11:01 PM
👁 13
Former National Security Adviser Ajit Doval recalled an intelligence crisis in Sikkim where Indian operatives were reportedly taken into Chinese custody.
In a recent interview, former National Security Adviser Ajit Doval recalled a tense incident in Sikkim that saw Indian intelligence personnel allegedly seized by Chinese forces. The event, which occurred several years ago, highlighted the fragile security dynamics along the India‑China border.
Doval described how the crisis unfolded when Chinese troops reportedly detained a group of Indian operatives stationed near the border. The incident prompted a swift diplomatic response from the Indian government, underscoring the importance of maintaining vigilance in the region.
While details of the operation remain limited, the episode has been cited by security analysts as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Indian forces in the eastern Himalayan frontier. The incident also served as a catalyst for reviewing border protocols and strengthening intelligence cooperation.
The former adviser emphasized that such episodes underscore the need for robust contingency plans to protect Indian personnel operating in sensitive areas. He also noted that diplomatic channels were engaged to secure the release of the detained operatives.
The Sikkim intelligence crisis remains a key case study in India’s border security strategy, illustrating the complexities of maintaining operational security in a contested region.
Doval described how the crisis unfolded when Chinese troops reportedly detained a group of Indian operatives stationed near the border. The incident prompted a swift diplomatic response from the Indian government, underscoring the importance of maintaining vigilance in the region.
While details of the operation remain limited, the episode has been cited by security analysts as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Indian forces in the eastern Himalayan frontier. The incident also served as a catalyst for reviewing border protocols and strengthening intelligence cooperation.
The former adviser emphasized that such episodes underscore the need for robust contingency plans to protect Indian personnel operating in sensitive areas. He also noted that diplomatic channels were engaged to secure the release of the detained operatives.
The Sikkim intelligence crisis remains a key case study in India’s border security strategy, illustrating the complexities of maintaining operational security in a contested region.