New Delhi, Jan.19 Radha Vinod Raju, a 1975-batch Indian Police Service officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, on Monday took over as the first head of National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The national investigation agency has been set up in the wake of 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes to investigate terror-related incidents.

Raju, 59, took over the charge at the Union Home Ministry today. So far, there has not been any separate space earmarked for the NIA office. He will be at the helm of affairs till January 31, 2010.

Before being selected for the post of first NIA Chief, Raju was the Director General (Vigilance) of Jammu and Kashmir.

Embarking on his new assignment, Raju, met Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.

The NIA Chief Raju gave the list of the officers, who will form the core team of NIA set up to probe terror-related cases across the country, during his discussions with the Home Secretary.

Raju's name was cleared by the Appointments' Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. (ANI)