Dineshwar Sharma tipped to become next IB Chief

New Delhi: Special Director Dineshwar Sharma is tipped to be the next chief of Intelligence Bureau. The name of Sharma, a 1979-batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre, has been sent to the Prime Minister's office for final clearance, official sources said on Friday.

Sharma, who hails from Bihar, will succeed Syed Asif Ibrahim whose tenure ends on December 31. Known for keeping a low profile, Sharma is heading the crucial counter-surveillance of IB and is credited with success in several clandestine operations of the the agency in that area.

Sharma has served at various desks in Intelligence Bureau since he was posted in the organisation in 1991 which includes Kashmir, Northeast besides stints in Lucknow.

Ibrahim, a 1977-batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IPS officer, had taken charge as IB Director on January 1, 2013.

Ibrahim - the first Muslim to hold the top post in IB - had taken over from Nehchal Sandhu.