New Delhi, June 5 (IANS): Former Intelligence Bureau director Syed Asif Ibrahim was on Friday appointed as "special envoy for counter-terrorism and extremism", an official statement said.

He will be in the National Security Council secretariat, in the rank of secretary to the government of India for a period of three years or until further orders, an official statement said.

According to government officials, Ibrahim's role will be to help the government in evolving strategies to deal with radicalisation of youth specially with growing influence of terror groups like the Islamic State.

The charter will include liaison with governments in West Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and South East Asia.

The 1977 batch IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, Ibrahim retired as IB director in December last year.

He is considered an authority on issues involving the minority community and is said to have good contacts in West Asian states.