The Lone Wolf: The Untold Story of the Rescue of Sheikh Hasina

by Neha Dwivedi

The Bangladesh Liberation War was nearing its bloody end when Colonel Ashok Tara, then a twenty-nine-year-old major, was assigned the task of rescuing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's family which was being held hostage by the Pakistani Army. Ashok Tara, unarmed, entered the lion's den, and negotiated with the hostile soldiers for the release of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation and his family that included a young Sheikh Hasina.
The Lone Wolf is Ashok Tara's story, charting the course of his celebrated yet quiet life as a member of the armed forces. Neha Dwivedi's writing expertly captures our hero's humble beginnings, his life-altering experiences, and offers a blow-by-blow account of a seminal event in South-east Asian history. As much as it is the story of Colonel Ashok Tara's bravery, it is also the story of a bleak-yet-victorious period of Bangladesh's quest for freedom.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2022

Reviews

[Nidhi Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books on the Bangladesh Liberation War 1971. However, this book is unique in itself. The book elaborates on the untold story of Sheikh Hasina's rescue. In an internal feud of Pakistan, India became the war front. Indian soldiers fought to restore peace in the nation and borders. Colonel Ashok Tara, one of the Indian Army soldiers, played a crucial role in the rescue of Sheikh Hasina. In the book, two parts are running in parallel, where the author describes the life of Col. Ashok from his childhood to the time he got inducted into the Officers Training Academy. The other part described the war-like situation in Pakistan, genocide in East Pakistan, refugees entering India, and guerilla training under the Indian Army. I read the narrative a couple of times where (then) Major Tara went ahead unarmed to rescue Sheikh Hasina and her family. Soldiers have trained for unexpected scenarios, but this fearlessness was in his genes. As described in the book, a young boy Ashok stared hard in an encounter with a wolf. 'Fear is a state of mind.' The book speaks about the soldier's experience in a lifetime. Their presence of mind for every situation is commendable. The book speaks about the soldier's experience in a lifetime. Their presence of mind for every situation is commendable. The book highlights the role of war and how it changes the life of a soldier.
I would like to appreciate Neha ma'am effort in bringing this untold story to the literary world. We have so much to learn from the Armed Forces. There are stories where have been restricted to war fronts or LOCs. I am glad I picked up this book to start my year of reading in 2022. I would recommend everyone to read this book on the 1971 war. It's a tribute to our heroes protecting our borders since forever. The epilogue is one of the best parts of this book, where Col. Tara narrates his feelings. On a rare occasion, you would find a soldier speaking his heart. I have been a fan of Neha ma'am ever since I read her first book on Captain Vijyant Thapar. I would continue to look forward to her authored books in the future.

[Himanshi Dhawan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I was startled at my unawareness. Being a History buff, I did know minuscule facts about the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the role of the first President of Bangladesh aka Bangabandhu in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh, etc. But not even in my most thrilling dreams, I had imagined an unarmed Indian soldier going to rescue the family of the first Bangabandhu from the dreading claws of Pakistani soldiers and their silver armor.
This book is based on this real-life tale of audacity and presence of mind but the writing style is a little bland. It doesn't make you curious about what unfolds further except for the "Col Tara: The Lone Wolf" section of the book. If you ain't a fan of splendid selection of words and deftly-chosen expressions, then this is the book for you.
Signing off with my favorite quote from this book,
It was as if a minute all the years in between had vanished and a young Ashok was once again standing in front of the wolf.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the story of the courageous Col. Ashok Tara is undoubtedly remarkable, the author, I feel hasn't done justice to this book. The syntax of the book is quite odd. The even numbered chapters of the book read better than the odd numbered. The difference is prima facie evident in different font sizes, language patterns, and the arrangement of words and sentences. Despite the unusual and chilling story, I feel that the author has failed in her attempt in delivering a scintillating story to its full potential.
There were moments when I didn't want to continue reading this book solely because of its poor writing style - for instance - the author used "knack for making friends" and "knack for being friendly" and similar phrases in almost the same paragraphs. She has carelessly used numerous metaphors which appeared unnecessary and cliches.
I gave it 2 stars solely because of Col. Tara's story otherwise, I'd give the book a pass.

[Mallika Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in school, I found history boring maybe because the past was always presented in such a drab way. If our history books were written as well as this book, I am sure no one would skip chapters or dread the subject. The book brings out incidences from the past that deserved to be in the limelight much before now, yet I am so glad that Neha decided to bring them out in such a beautifully written book. So glad I read it and totally recommend this book to everyone.

Do order your copy soon.

[Digvijay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story worth telling !

Kudos to the Author and her team. It’s necessary that such inspiring stories come into the mainstream media which is spewing hate these days.

Wish Col. Ashok Tara and Abha ma’am a very long life ahead. We should let them know that their sacrifices are still remembered.

[Harshal]

The life of a soldier who took part in one of the greatest triumphs of humanity. Thinking about the needs of the many than the needs of self. It takes an inhumane sort of courage and reading such stories are important to build character. Teenagers today should definitely read it.

[Harsh Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it..this is such an interesting story of 1971war, that most of faujis are also not aware..written extremely well by the author, especially the Battle part...

[Zaved Akhtar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read. The real story is short but it is set around the history of Bangladesh's liberation.