Based on true events, this book is a bone-chilling narration of the terrorist attack on the Nagrota Army Base in Jammu & Kashmir. The book took five years of research and intense interviews with the families, and aims to sensitise the readers to the sacrifices of the armed forces.

November 29, 2016, was a dark day for the Nagrota Army Base. Three militants, sent by the Jaish-e-Mohammed infiltrated across the LoC, launched a surprise attack on the Base. It led to the death of seven courageous soldiers and officers, who chose to ‘act and die’ rather than ‘run and save’ themselves. The infiltrators were overpowered and shot, but they had left behind a blood trail. The army was successful in saving most of the people on the base and getting the women and children out of Nagrota.

It begins with a heartfelt account of the death of Major Akshay Girish during this encounter. His mother, Meghna, twin sister Neha, and wife Sangeeta visit the Base and discover his broken glasses, hitherto unfound during the combing operations.

Despite the brevity, the book leaves a profound impact. The author doesn’t jump headlong into the combat. She takes a humane approach by introducing the reader to the dreams of these young men and women, their families, childhood, upbringing, highs and lows beyond the battlefield. While some had always dreamt of joining the armed forces, the others followed family traditions.

Arora also sensitises the reader to the turbulences and uncertainties of this unusual career. She reveals the tribulations of being based in harsh terrains, protecting the country’s borders. This also takes a toll on their wives and families.

The book doesn’t politicise or comment on the policies. She does, however, give a background on J&K and activities that turned India’s most beautiful state into a hotbed of insurgencies from the 1990s.

In this book, the focus is on the encounter and lives of the people involved in Nagrota siege. The officers and soldiers come from different parts of the country, but the ‘nation first’ principle is deeply ingrained in their body, mind and heart.

The reader is also introduced to the role of the police in Jammu & Kashmir. Arora also gives an insight into the psyche of those who form link with terrorist organisations—financial constraints, illiteracy and finding their safety net in similar religious beliefs. There is always an insider, a local contact and the J&K police nails that. However, it is unclear whether this arrest takes place before or close to the attack. They do get the information on the weapons used.

The advantage of the militants lay in the surprise attack. The army did not have any information on the plan. It is the presence of mind of the officers and the soldiers, and their intense training that saves the day. 

The reader gets a glimpse of the different regiments, military training, machinery and weapons. The preparedness and immediate response to emergencies and the ability to determinedly walk into the thick of action and come out successful is laudable. Teamwork, challenges and loyalities make this one of the most courageous careers on the planet.

A small selection of photographs is also included in the centre of the book, putting faces to the names and showing the ammunition that the militants carried with them.

This book is a must read for every citizen to understand the perils that the armed forces live with, their mental strengths, traumas and dreams. It is a true story of valour and patriotism.

Among the five books written by Bhaavna Arora, three focus on the Armed Forces. A management graduate, she is an educationist and corporate trainer.

Book Details
Imprint: Penguin Veer (Penguin Random House)
Published: December 2024
Pages: 256
Price: INR 299