The Turning Points : 1965 War

by Sonnia Singh

The 1965 war was a series of conflicts between India and Pakistan and was the second war fought over Kashmir. The war was a response to intrusions that were carried out by the Pakistani forces. The turning points are the points or the situations during the war when the eventual outcome got redefined. Each story highlights the point of no return wherein the position of a seeming defeat of India was turned around to that of victory thanks to the grit of our soldiers and the strategic planning of the military commanders. Despite being outnumbered and having outdated equipment the Indian side turned from a defensive position to offensive stance—The hunters became the hunted! The book is about strategy and tactics that changed the course of history forever. A typical war book chronicles battles and military conquests, but this book has a different approach. It presents the battles in chapters and these are chronicled in short story format though neither the battle nor the people are the ultimate subjects. The book is about the turning points that make history dramatic and are crucial to changing the tide of history. The focus is on acts, ideas and triumphs that shaped the strategy and tactics and thus shaped the course of the history of India. I have deliberately not dwelt on battalion formations and division compositions so as to make easy reading for everyone. The book has deliberately not focused on troop formations and detailed military terms and tactics.

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2021

Reviews

[Oishani Sarkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Turning Points by Sonnia Singh was a deeply moving experience for me. I’ve come across many war narratives but this book felt different. It wasn’t just history retold, it was history relived. Each story pulled me into the battlefield, making me feel the tension of decisions that could have altered the nation’s fate. I especially admired how the author has captured the grit of soldiers, the daring of the Air Force, and the unyielding leadership that steered India from a defensive stance to decisive offense.

What struck me most was the balance. The book doesn’t shy away from exposing blunders and missed chances, yet it equally honors moments of brilliance and courage. It made me realize that victory is never simple, it is built on sacrifice, resilience, and human spirit. The Turning Points is more than a war chronicle. It’s a powerful tribute to memory, valour, and India’s hard-earned triumph.