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India’s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes


The book gives the reader an insight into the minds and lives of those who sacrifice everything for their India and its citizen.

The book begins with the thrilling third-person account of the Surgical Strikes on Pakistan based terrorist launch pads which is followed by Myanmar Surgical Strikes. The narration of the events beginning with the URI terrorist attack and ending with the press conference by the Army and government on the surgical strikes across the LOC (Line Of Control) grips the reader and keeps him on the very edge. The chapters are narrated from the perspective of Major Tango and Lt Col Delta who led the commandos on the strike on terrorist launchpads. The details of the attacks give an insight into the level of preparation and competence of the PARA SF Commandos. It highlights the mental strength and robustness of the men who make up the Para SF commandos. Indeed their valor and courage exemplify the saying for the para SF commandos “Men apart every man an emperor”.

Following the surgical strikes are 5 accounts of individual valor and sacrifices of the brave soldiers of the Indian Army. As you read the accounts of the actions of these men it's hard to fathom how a person can act with such courage and clear thinking in such adverse situations. The individual stories of these men and their family both personal and the one they have in the army in a way tells us the reason why they do what they do while having full knowledge of the risks involved in such operations.
The later stories are of the brave soldiers of the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. These vary from the civilian rescue missions by INS Sumitra (Indian Naval Ship) of not just the Indian nationals but also of people other nationalities from Yemen. To the case when a fighter pilot decided to stay in his fighter jet and save it even though his canopy has just burst and he has been exposed to the brutes of nature at near-supersonic speeds. 

A special mention to the story of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who survived 6 days buried under snow after his camp in Siachen was hit by an avalanche. Though he later succumbed to his injuries, his survival while buried and his struggle and perseverance during his last days give us a glimpse of what these men who serve on the highest battlefield on earth have to endure. And the mental and physical resilience these men have.

A few of the points which were constant were the sacrifices these families make in order to support the soldiers while they served their motherland. Indeed it reminds me of a habit of many western citizens to thank any soldier and his family for the sacrifices which they make for the country. 

Little inside tidbits like the one where once the surgical strike was successful the paratroopers were fed celebratory drinks one after another when the commander says “KOI KHANA DEDO SAB DAARU HI PILATE JA RAHE HAIN” makes the book an interesting read.

Jai Hind

Book Details:
Title: India’s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes
Author: Shiv Aroor, Rahul Singh
Genre: War, Non-Fiction, History, India, Anthologies
Publisher: Penguin Random House India
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-10: 0143440446
ISBN-13: 9780143440444

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Location: India

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