Tradecraft Friction Of Intelligence Bureau's Special Directors and Why IB Mens Need A Wake Up Call

In 2012, perhaps for the first time, 4 Special Directors were bypassed, and Asif Ibrahim was made IB chief, and the rest were rehabilitated to other places. The tradition speaks that whenever IB gets a junior chief, the seniors are given security-related verticles, as was the case with R.N Gupta, V Rajagopal, and Yashovardhan Azad. Such rehabilitations are quite congruent to their experience in the Intelligence Bureau and long years of tradecraft. At least they can do security net assessments and coordinate with the Intelligence agencies. Except for one exception- Director NPA. The second time was In 2022 when Tapan Deka was made IB Chief, bypassing 4 Special Directors. Interestingly, out of four, one made a parachute landing at CAPF. The decision to place an Intelligence man into a paramilitary setup is now giving second thoughts to MHA, top sources say. An Intelligence man specializes in tradecraft, though tradecraft's one of the thumb rules does talk about of "absorption of environment", but for few, this tradecraft rule is in conflict with their own style of functioning or thinking. According to top sources, MHA has received reservations regarding the working style of former IB men, and discussions are on in power corridors. "It's surprising to see why IB men face difficulty to adjust when they leave the bureau," a top source said. It has been further said that this is not the first case earlier a similar case came up when a Special Director was made to do a parachute landing in a CAPF. One can argue that a sudden shift in terrain might make things complicated for an IB man. However, an interesting case of former R&AW Special Secretary  J.N Sinha defenestrate the argument or excuse  that IB man often gives today to MHA. Sinha, when was superseded by P.KH Thakaran, was sent to CRPF(though he resigned from RAS)  from R&AW, and he headed CRPF for two straight years comfortably. Similarly, the case of K.K Paul, a former R&AW man, made a remembring stint in Delhi Police as its Commissioner. This shows that IB men especially most of the Special Directors, are just high on talks and not as serious about polishing their tradecraft skills. R&AW's Special Secretaries seem to be in quite a brighter position than the Intelligence Bureau Special Directors. At least they take their job more seriously and have a more sound understanding of tradecraft than IB men. Top sources add that the top brass of MHA is well aware of the competencies of Special Directors of IB, and perhaps MHA is also aware that the bureau is suffering from a major chunk of vacancies and a weak line of succession at the top level, top sources say. Whatever may be the case, IB's Special Directors need a wake-up call, and they must upgrade their tradecraft skills and minimize their personal conflicts, or else they'll continue to be ignored or dusted.