BALAKOT AIR STRIKE : How India Avenged Pulwama

Finished reading it👆🏼.Frankly speaking, did not understand nearly 75℅ of the book.From Govt and IAF's decision to hit back till shooting down of Wing Co Abhi,everything is described in IAF jargon, which obviously civilians can not understand.I kept on reading despite it because somehow, the narration still kept my interest alive.May be, the whole saga is indeed very magnetic.I still think I have learnt few things, despite not fully understanding the book. ( these are a layman's views).*1*.In Military aviation, electronics has a massive role.I will daresay that perhaps it is as vital and indispensable as fuel and weapons.*2*.Technology has made stupendous evolutions, almost to unbelievable levels. It is rather difficult to comprehend that Integrated Airborne Command and Control System, which is installed in a plane,flies at altitude of about 30,000 feet, remains in Indian skies(thus away from enemy danger) but can mount surveillance on about 3 lakh sq km area and feed the findings in real time to our fighters!*3*.Electronics and technology is not everything that the IAF posseses.Human resources that it has are unique human beings. I say so because nobody is born with soldier like attitude and mindset. 'A boy next door' gets selected in the Force and then it becomes responsibility of the organization to chiesel him into a air warrior who has commitment, courage, determination and fortitude to the brim!In this book the reader comes across a number of characters who show all the virtues described above.*4*.Air Marshal Harikumar, erstwhile Commander of Western Air Command was to retire after 39/40 years of service on 28 Feb 19.Retirement, indeed, must have been a cornerstone event of his life. He was to permenatly give up something he was doing from his teenage! Thoughts of life post retirement must have been uppermost,he must have become rather emotional also.He was assigned the task of planning Balakot strike and overseeing it's execution merely 13 days before his retirement! With such a high stake task on hand, the officer had to set aside all personal considerations, alter the state of his mind and plunge headlong into the task! History is witness as to how well he did it. Air Marshal(rtd)Harikumar has indeed set very high standards of commitment and professionalism.*5*.As it was a,top secret operation, I thought that only about 8/10 people were involved in planning.It appears that,that wasn't the case. My impression is, dozens, may be more than 100 individuals knew it, from middle to senior level in management and a team of technicians also.The writer has mentioned so many departments(doing different tasks) that I did not know that they existed.Not a word got leaked is commendable but what is astonishing is, despite involvement of so many people working from different places, on different aspects, the coordination was so good, that the real operation went off in a copybook fashion, no glitches and surprises!*6*.We know that Wing Co Abhi is son of a rtd Air Marshal.News of his captivity was conveyed to them through official channels.'Your son is in Pakistan Army's captivity' is perhaps the worst news any parent can receive, particularly at an age when nothing except well being of your children matter to the parents.The senior couple received the news with utmost bravery and dignity. I don't mean to say that they did not get worried but they handled their emotions in a perfectly soldierly way!*7*.Divya, Abhi's wife is a rtd IAF officer. After his capture, Pakistan activated their sources in Srinagar(where Abhi and family were posted and residing)and got her mobile number. During interrogation, Pakistanis dialled her number and made Abhi talk to her! This was a ploy to break him emotionally.Hats off to both of them, they both were firm and calm, never betrayed their true emotions. Abhi even told Divya to tell their son that Papa is now in jail but will come back soon! Again, I don't mean to say that they were not petrified,but their determination and training in Force could withstand emotions.*8*.All of us had anticipated it, almost knew it but there was complete ommision of it's mention. Yes, Abhi was subjected to physical torture, had to bear it for 48 hours.*As the things stand now, Gp Cap Abhinandan Varthaman, VrC, has completely recovered from ejection and torture injuries and now back at what he knows best, flying MiG 21 Bisons!*

The book was delivered to me yesterday afternoon at 3 pm and I finished reading it by 12:30 am the same day. This is the first and only book so far in my life that I have read it in one sitting. Yes, it is that fascinating, gripping, and thrilling, which is why I couldn't put it down until completion! The author, Manan Bhatt sir, has brilliantly penned each chapter of the book, that while reading the book, I could sense and feel the fire, emotions, compassion, courage, grit, and determination our braveheart soldiers have, even in the midst of adversity, calamity, and tormenting cold weather. That is how wonderfully this book is written! I didn't just read the book; instead, by reading the whole scene and movie of our heroes and their valor was played in my mind, who are forever ready to take on the mission and protect our nation. Fully enjoyed from start to end.HOW DID I COME TO KNOW ABOUT THIS BOOKLast week as I was going through tweets and video clips of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman being awarded the Vir Chakra by the President, some people posted the picture of this book in the comments section. Upon seeing it, I wasted no time in getting the book and ordered it in just a day or two. I was full of excitement in wanting to know in detail the things that transpired on those days.And so just as I found about this book as I was scrolling through the tweets, I hope that those who read this review of mine will be encouraged to go ahead and get this book. It truly is that remarkable.Many thanks to Manan Bhatt sir for his awesome writing of this book.

This splendid tome ‘BALAKOT AIR-STRIKE-How India Avenged Pulwama’ by author Manan Bhatt provides a holistic account about the dastardly attack by the terrorist organization ‘Jaish-e-Mohammad’ in Pulwama. The book talks very minutely about the fateful day and a horrifying yet detail aftermath of the mayhem. The situation described of the bereaved families after reaching the mortal remains of the martyrs will make many into tears. The planning for the Balakot Air-Strike is superbly inscribed with a gripping effect. It gives an out and out account inclusive all the nitty-gritty about the planning of action by Indian Govt. machinery and IAF. The IAF’s tit for tat reply with the blitz on terrorist camps on that D-day is simply a moment of satisfaction and pride for all and sundry. When I was reading the book, indeed it was like I am actually flowing with the waves of the events and in many instances gave goosebumps to me. It gives me immense pleasure to know that Manan Bhatt is a Naval Veteran who has able to give a proper respect and justice to the topic of the book by all means. Manan Bhatt has done a stupendous work and hope he will keep on with good works and expect more such bestseller in future. I would recommend to go through this book and I can assure, you will find it absolutely worth reading.JAI HIND

This is an awesome book. Very detailed. Gives a great accurate account of pulwama air strikes and counter offensive that led to capture of our pilot lieutenant abhinandan varthaman. Touching, inspiring, stuff of legends, lion heart, core of steel and so patriotic! Loved this book!

On a fine evening , I picked up this book and could not keep it back till I finished it. I had to work hard to not let my tears roll down when I was reading Tilak Raj Coffin arriivng scene and his son asking " Is Papa inside" ? . This book helped me relive that time when every Indian heart was asking for revenge. Salute to our air warriors who gave a befitting reply. I was thrilled to read details about the air to air war between IAF and PAF. Got to know how Abhinandan was badly harrased by those crooks..Great research has been done to complete this book...May we get more such thrilling books from the author.