Aficionados of military history need no introduction to Swapnil Pandey, the author of Balidan (2023) and The Force Behind the Forces (2021). In her new work, Wings of Valour: True Stories of the Indian Air Force’s Daring Operations (HarperCollins India), she continues to immortalise the legacy of India’s armed forces in the nation’s collective memory.

Launched by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of Air Staff, last week, the book systematically examines pivotal military operations, technological advancements, and individual heroism across multiple contexts. From complex rescue missions like Operation Kaveri in Sudan to strategic interventions such as Operation Sindoor, the book provides nuanced insights into the Indian Air Force's operational strategies and technological capabilities. Remarkable narratives of individual soldiers like Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala and Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa showcase extraordinary courage, while detailed accounts of indigenous aircraft development highlight India's growing technological self-reliance.

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On the occasion of Air Force Day (October 8), here is an excerpt from the book:

Operation Safed Sagar: A Milestone in Military Aviation

(May–July 1999)

In the spring of 1999, the world began to take notice of Pakistan’s incursion into the Kargil-Dras area of Jam