Radha Vinod Raju, Special Director General of Police in Jammu and Kashmir [Images], was today appointed as Director General of the newly established National Investigation Agency (NIA).

A 1975-batch IPS officer, 59-year-old Raju, who heads the vigilance department in the militancy-hit state, will be the head of the NIA till January 21, 2010, an official spokesperson said.

He was selected for the coveted post considering his wide knowledge and experiences in investigating high-profile cases, including assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi [Images].

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram [Images] recommended Raju's name which was signed by Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images].

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah [Images] has issued orders relieving Raju so as to enable his deputation to the Centre. He was to retire on July 31, this year.

Raju, who has served in various capacities in CBI and returned to his parent cadre after being promoted as Additional Director in the investigating agency, also had a stint in the vigilance department.

Serving as head of the Vigilance Bureau in Jammu and Kashmir earlier, Raju streamlined the department which was in shackles due to the ongoing militancy.

The government had also sought views on it from various investigating and intelligence agencies, including the CBI, Intelligence Bureau and newly constituted National Technical Research Organisation.