The stunning Lolab Valley of Kashmir. Cold. Crisp. Serene. Punctuated by the blood curdling violence that rips apart the stillness of this paradise. Within the militancy torn valley nestles the ravaged lives of the people who inhabit it. And of the men in uniform who fight for their country. Set against the backdrop of this rugged milieu is the clash of two charismatic leaders-the inimitable Major Hariharan of the Indian Special Forces, and the volatile battle hardened Pakistani mujahid, Sher Khan. Caught in this bitter conflict is the enigmatic Sahira, a local Gujjar girl who has to face her own demons. All of them have journeys that will test their strengths over and over again… In the Valley of Shadows is a compelling tale of courage and passion and the hatred that an insurgency generates, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation in its wake. Follow the thrilling cat-and-mouse game between two passionate men of war, a chase that only one of them will survive.
Publisher: Wisdom Tree (2011)
Language: English
Praise for the book
This is the first combat book written in India, by a Spetsnaz, a Special Forces officer who knows the Kashmir Ops the way it really is – no frills, no arm chair theory – straight from the hip. You can smell the cordite and the fear and most important you can get into the head of the enemy!
Great read specially if you want to know what the fuck is going on in Kashmir.
– Pralhad Kakkar, a man with many hats
The aroma of deodar trees mixes with the acrid odour of gunpowder in this taunt adventure story set in Kashmir. The drama is gripping, the characters finely-etched and the plotting authentic. But even as his characters engage in a good-versus-evil battle to the death, Sapru sensitively shows his reader how Kashmir is a tragedy no just for Kashmiris, but equally for the Indian soldier and the Pakistan-backed mercenary.
– Ravindra Kumar, Editor, The Statesman
Though his first novel, Abhay shows class of a seasoned writer. Descriptions of terrain, actions, emotions, drama and violence keep you spell-bound. The tragic reality of Kashmir is so well articulated through this gripping drama, it is guaranteed to win your rapt attention from beginning to end.
– Lt Gen PC Katoch, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SC (Retd)-Parachute Regiment
