Former Mumbai Police Commissioner and Maharashtra Director General of Police Datta Padsalgikar has been appointed as deputy National Security Advisor.

The 1982-batch IPS officer had earlier served in the Intelligence Bureau for 26 years before he was picked as the Mumbai Police Commissioner in 2016. 

He retired as the DGP in 2018.

He had worked with current National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his stint in the IB.

Padsalgikar told PTI that he would take the new charge soon.

His colleagues in Maharashtra Police hail the role played by Padsalgikar in nailing Pakistan's involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

A total of 166 people were killed in the 'fidayen' strikes launched by ten terrorists at various places in the financial capital of the country.

Padsalgikar had procured the VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) cell phone communications from the United States between the terrorists and their handlers based in Pakistan, officials recalled.

He also worked behind the curtains in the Ajmal Kasab case. 

The Pakistani terrorist, who was captured alive during the Mumbai mayhem, was hanged after a court trial.

Former colleagues of Padsalgikar, who hails from Solapur, recalled that his simplicity stands him out besides other qualities like conviction and erudition.