What drove a young man with a full life to sacrifice it all for his nation? Why did battle-hardened soldiers revere this young man, following him into peril, or even death? A loving son to a doting mother, a loyal friend to fellow officers, a trusted comrade to his brave soldiers, and a fearless warrior against his enemy. Built from true accounts, here is an authentic life story of Major Sudhir Walia of 9 Para (SF). From leading an attack on Zulu Top in the Kargil war, to operations against terrorists in the Kashmir valley, this book charts the journey of this maverick Special Forces Officer. Twice decorated with the Sena Medal, Major Sudhir Walia was killed in action while leading an audacious raid against foreign militants. He was posthumously awarded India’s highest peacetime gallantry award – the Ashok Chakra. Nicknamed Rambo for his daredevilry, read on to find what it takes to forge a hero whose legacy and raw courage inspire men even today.

Ever wondered what a soldiers life is really like? Indias Bravehearts is a rare inside account of the Indian Army by one of its most celebrated officers. This book tells gripping stories of death-defying operations and daring surgical strikes, the intense training soldiers have to undergo to become battle-fit, what life is really like on the LoC and the lives of the young men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Page-turning, thrilling and heartbreaking, you will see the Indian Army and our soldiers close up, like you have never seen them before.

TBA

The Indian Army is one of the largest and most professional armies of the world. A commission in the Army is the dream of many, which only a privileged few can attain. An even fewer number get to graduate from the portals of the prestigious Indian Military Academy. In order to get into the Indian Military Academy, a young graduate needs to clear a written exam, followed by a very tough selection board and a thorough medical evaluation. Once one is inducted into the IMA, then begins the gruelling training of one and a half years, during which period a young man transforms into ‘an officer and a gentleman’. This is a story of that year and a half. This book is a narrative in the form of diary entries of the entire training process of one and a half years, as told from a mother’s perspective, whose son is undergoing the training in the Academy. Based on research, the account contains details of the psychological, physical, mental and emotional moulding of a young man that happens in the Academy - how a handful of like-minded young men get transformed into a band of brothers who learn to bond, respect, stand for and by each other and have a common goal – a commitment to the nation. It is a narrative of the fun, the camaraderie, the punishments, and the training in the IMA, and shows how morals, values, ethics and a complete dedication to the nation are imbibed by a young man in his journey of becoming An Officer and A Gentleman.

Unlike traditional biographies of combat leaders, which focus primarily on military operations or regimental histories, in this book Major General V.K. Singh concentrates on personal accounts, anecdotes and reminiscences in order to highlight these leaders’ personalities, and to draw out the human face behind the military facade. Through the stories of these twelve military leaders, the book also throws new light on several historical events and the role of political leaders during India’s fight for independence and the partitioning of the subcontinent. He gives an overview of India’s military history after independence, including major operations, and describes many hitherto unknown or little-known incidents concerning smaller operations like Nathu La in 1967 and Goa in 1962. Written records tend to glorify the actions of battalions as well as individuals, Singh says, magnifying achievements while suppressing the mistakes and glossing over failures. Leadership in the Indian Army provides a truer picture of the strength of character and convictions of each of these leaders. A must-read for anyone interested in India’s military history.

Employment till now of our nascent Special Forces have been analyzed including whether our Special Forces have actually been employed or used as Special Forces or primarily used in counter insurgency operations for which we have any number of other units available. The book brings out whether a rare resource like Special Forces should or should not be employed for such missions that can be performed by a host of other groups. In the backdrop of 21st Century threats, what should be the Special Forces structure in India, their concept of employment and doctrine? These are the other questions this book has attempted to answer.