Two officers fresh out of the National Defence Academy (NDA) get posted at a laid-back military garrison on the banks of the Ganga River in Western UP. Lieutenant Rohit Verma comes from an army background, knows the ropes and generally has it easy. Lieutenant Renuka Khatri, on the other hand, is from a civilian background, and from the first batch of girl cadets admitted to the NDA. They both have to prove that they are worthy of being army officers. During a welcome party at the officers’ mess, one of the ladies is assaulted and the needle of suspicion falls on Rohit. A court of inquiry is ordered, with Renuka unearthing crucial evidence that points to more sinister connections.

When one of the witnesses due to depose before the court is murdered, it not only absolves Rohit but also starts the hunt for the real killer. Initially sceptical, the commandant throws his weight behind the investigation, which as it unfolds, reveals similarities to events rooted in the past. In their hunt for the suspect, Rohit and Renuka are assisted by Rehmat, a local village girl. The trio of Rohit-Renuka-Rehmat (RRR) must race against time to catch the killer before he can strike again.

A definitive account of India’s decisive military response to Pakistan-backed terrorism ― told by Lt Gen K.J.S. Dhillon, one of India’s most respected Army commanders.

On 22 April 2025, the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, witnessed a horrifying attack when heavily armed terrorists from the Resistance Front, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), fully sponsored by the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), shattered its serenity with gunfire, killing twenty-six innocent individuals and injuring several others. The victims included newlyweds, elderly parents and solo trekkers. A Hindu professor narrowly escaped death by reciting the kalma, a Christian sacrificed his life to save his family and a local Muslim was killed while saving others. This was an attempt to rupture India’s religious harmony and create widespread outrage in the country.

India chose to respond to this incident, which shook not just the nation but the world, with Operation SINDOOR, showcasing its military modernization and might. The mission targeted terror camps, including the ones in Bahawalpur and Muridke, linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and LeT, respectively, and terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India’s response demonstrated military professionalism, technological maturity and diplomatic sagacity, ensuring regional stability while delivering a powerful message against Pakistan and its terror factory. This book carries minute details and a blow-by-blow account of the ‘Four-Day War’ between two hostile nuclear powers. The author underscores the intelligent use of media and social media in the battle of narratives, discusses the ‘new normal’ and emerging rules of engagement, and suggests a way forward.

Offering hitherto unrevealed information, Lt Gen. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon (Retd) opens a window to Operation SINDOOR, a testament to the strength of the Indian military and the unity of India when confronted with an adverse situation. With visuals from the destroyed target areas, this book is a powerful reminder of the impact of terrorism and the enduring hope for peace and justice.

Operation SINDOOR is a must-read for everyone.