About the Book
Book: Nagrota Under Siege
Author: Bhaavna Arora Publisher: Penguin
Price: Rs 299
In the book “Nagrota Under Siege” Bhaavna Arora has managed to provide the readers with a poignant account of the terrorist attack on the Nagrota Army base in Jammu and Kashmir. It blends emotional eloquence with factual accuracy and completely expresses the deep impacts of the place on Arora’s mind. The author does not simply tell a story; for her, the clash and the impact on the lives of soldiers’ families is the real and sad reality.
The author vividly details the events surrounding the attack and manages to sort of ‘bring the document to life’ by making it a part of the narrative rather than just an add on feature. Within the brutal context of the situation, one can witness the sheer bravery of people like Major Akshay Girish, who Arora makes the centre of attention in the story. The psyche of their family, portrayed with deep insanity, shows the struggles of people not actively participating in the war. The author’s way of voicing the sentiments of people is exceptional, and so is his investigative insight. There is no attempt of revealing crude realities, and that is why it stands to be a brilliant tribute to the soldiers.
This fervent tribute to our troops is crisp and sans any flounces. It's nothing short of a screenplay that can very well form another actioner highlighting the sheer grit, determination, sacrifice, and most importantly, patriotism of Indian armed forces. The non-linear narrative follows the attack by three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants on an army unit in Nagrota (Jammu and Kashmir) on 29 November 2016. The deadly attack leads to numerous gun fights and the army neutralising all three militants. But the hostage situation leads seven soldiers, including two officers of senior rank, to martyrdom. The extensive interviews, real photos (provided by personnel and families), and back stories that are simultaneously heartwarming and gut-wrenching, make this novel an addition to an illustrious library of tributes to our armed forces.