Kargil: Turning the Tide

by Mohinder Puri

Turning the Tide, is a gripping account of the operations of 8 Mountain Division, which was tasked to evict the enemy from the Drass-Mushkoh Sector during Op Vijay. Coming from the pen of Lt Gen (then Maj Gen) Mohinder Puri, who led the division during the operations, the book is as authentic an account of the operations as one can hope to have. Written in a racy style, the book vividly captures the emotions and sentiments of a soldier; the apprehensions and fears of the leaders, and finally the joy and ecstasy of a hard won victory. The book, covering a wide spectrum from attacks at platoon level to issues impinging on national security, will be of immense value to all military professionals.Civilian readers will find the accounts of various close quarters, hand to hand battles fought in the extremely challenging and hostile environment of rugged high altitude terrain, inclement weather and an entrenched enemy, very engrossing and moving. A very high casualty count of 268 killed and 818 wounded, coupled with a rich haul of gallantry awards – three Param Vir Chakras, eight Mahavir Chakras, and 42 Vir Chakras – operations of 8 Mountain Division are a saga of fortitude, exceptional bravery, and exemplary junior leadership, which will undoubtedly swell any Indian’s heart with pride.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2015

Reviews

[Randhir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason this book is valuable is because the Author fought the War and commanded the troops who participated. Secondly, the extensive maps give one a clear perspective of the battles. The Author is honest in his views and does not even spare himself. Buy it

[Book Ecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's coffee was served with the book "Kargil: Turning the Tide", written by Lt Gen Mohinder Puri, which is a gripping account of the Kargil War fought between India and Pakistan in 1999. The author, who served in the Indian Army during the conflict, provides an insider's perspective on the war and the strategies employed by both sides.

The book is a comprehensive account of the war, from the initial infiltration by Pakistani troops into Indian territory to the final victory by Indian forces. It covers the major battles fought in Kargil and the surrounding areas and provides a detailed analysis of the tactics and weapons used by both sides.

One of the highlights of the book is the author's account of the decision-making process at the highest levels of the Indian government and military. The author provides a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process and the challenges faced by the Indian military in the face of a surprise attack by Pakistani forces.

Overall, Kargil: Turning the Tide is an engaging and informative read for anyone interested in military history or the India-Pakistan conflict. The author's first-hand experience and insights into the war make this book a valuable addition to the literature on the subject.

[Anirudh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for people who have an appetite for reading about Indian armed forces and war stories.

The most appreciative point is the critical attitude of the General who himself was on ground planning each phase of the operation.

Hats off to your efforts Sir, for bringing such a piece of detailed version of the Kargil war to readers like me.

[Sandeep Ravivanshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially liked the 'reflections' part by the author where a lot of insight on war games have been given..