Operation Khukri: The True Story behind

This one of the best accounts of Operation Khukri. An unbelievable story and I am so glad that it is being told. Could not put the book down and finished it in two days as a result of it. T

Today finished reading 'Operation Khukri'. Glad i read it. You have narrated the story so very well. One could feel everything that was happening there in Kailahun. For a military man, it is a treat to read and learn about such a unique operation as part of a peacekeeping mission, which was not just a military operation but a diplomatic coup at tactical level. The dexterity and complex decision making under such adverse circumstances, can only be understood by leaders who have been through tough situations. Ofcourse, it is evident that you have written everything from your heart and that is what makes the story special. The book is a treat to read. I think every Indian would be proud to learn about the heroics of our soldiers in a foreign land, under extremely challenging circumstances. Once again my compliments to you and Damini for bringing out this story so beautifully well. Looking forward to the motion picture now 😊

It is such a pleasure to read books authored by people I know personally, as childhood friends and fellow soldiers. Gives a personal spin to the narrative. And a deeper insight into the person.Operation Khukri jointly authored by General Rajpal Punia my NDA course and his daughter Damini is one such. It is another story of so many wars that the Indian Army keeps fighting, unknown to people at large. Even I, a coursemate learnt of this particular saga of honour, bravery and maryada that Indian Army lives day in and day out, when I read this book. Maybe there are so many in each soldier I know. Some see the light of day and some fade away with the soldier.This is a milestone operation during Indian Army deployment under the UN in Sierra Leone in 2000. Then Major Punia had been assigned the role of facilitating disarming rebels of RUF. He with a composite group of infantry and his own mechanised infantry company were inducted into remote Kailahun in the strife torn nation. In characteristic Indian Army fashion the task force set out to win hearts and minds. And how! The innate goodness of Rajpal and sympathetic outlook sets up very strong bonds with the people in the area. He gets to be personal friends with the local commander of RUF too.A series of events however soon changes equations for the worse. The task force is put under a siege and the officers including Rajpal taken hostage. RUF instead of disarming is now bent on disarming the UN contingent! Dynamics of global and his own personal local connects ensures release of the hostages but the contingent is laid siege to by a much more powerful RUF. The choices they give are clear- surrender weapons and live or be prepared to die. The first being a no choice for gallant Indians the siege lasts for 75 days when, in a spectacular air land operation the contingent comes out all guns ablaze and fights their way through to link up with the main body.The plot and the telling are so engrossing that I used to steal minutes from my routine to get back to the book. The martial spirit is so beautifully tempered by the spiritual, emotional and human aspects of the saga. What I missed knowing about the gangling gentle giant in NDA, I learnt with this book.The writing style is so simple, unassuming and yet impactful. There is never a dull moment as a warm welcome into Sierra Leone and then Kailahun degenerates into a conflict situation where each protagonist is right in their respective ways. The classic internal conflict between duty and human connect is evident in the final break out when the same people who shared love and respect with Rajpal , had to be fired upon and many of them killed. Characters are so vividly and yet unpretentiously etched. Colonel Martin, Papa Giema, Sister of Kailahun will remain even with me as a reader.कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। You did what you did for the timeless legacy of Indian soldiery dear friend.

Good read

"Operation Khukri", being a true soldier's account, moves smoothly between a closer view of the operation in specific and a bird's-eye view of the situation in general. It is a perfect blend of personal experience of a soldier with all his emotions to feel and a professional military history of UN Mission in Sierra Leone to be learnt by the readers. Therefore, one can enjoy reading it either from the angle of a true operational story with personal and human touch of a soldier's life or from the viewpoint of a successful operational leadership by a professional.These unique characteristics of this book with an amazing flow of 'story telling' have the potential to take it to the wider audience rather than restricting it to the military history domain only.Even, if I am allowed to take a step further, in my thought process, the visualization effect it is able to create in a reader's mind, I will not be surprised if it is transformed to a successful movie in future.

I read the AAR of this many years back. I am glad a book was finally published. Jai Hind! 12 Mech Brat.