In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Centre has rejigged the National Security Advisory Board. Former RAW Secretary Alok Joshi will now head the board.

The panel, which has seven members, consists of retired officers from the armed forces, the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service.

Who is Alok Joshi?

Alok Joshi was the former chief of Research and Analysis Wing. He graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) before joining the IPS Haryana cadre in 1976.

The Lucknow native became the joint director of Intelligence Bureau in 2005 before being appointed as RAW Special Secretary in 2010. In 2012, he took over as RAW Secretary.

Why was Alok Joshi picked to lead NSAB?

Being a former RAW chief, the appointment of Joshi as NSAB head reflects the Centre's resolve to respond effectively to the Pahalgam terror attack. It also sends a strong message to Pakistan after PM Modi vowed justice for the victims of the terror attack.

Besides Joshi, retired IPS officers in the board include Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh. The board has three retired military officers: former Western Air Commander Air Marshal PM Sinha, former Southern Army Commander Lt Gen AK Singh and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna. Retire IFS officer B Venkatesh Sharma is also part of the board.

The move comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a second meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday. The high-level committee previously met on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam attack.

Meetings of the Cabinet Committe on Political Affairs and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs was also convened on Wednesday. Following the meetings, a cabinet briefing was held at 3 pm.

On Tuesday, Modi stated that the Indian armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services were also part of the meeting.