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bhay Narayan Sapru

From Boots on the Ground to Words on the Page

Abhay Narayan Sapru graduated from Delhi University and subsequently joined the prestigious Indian Military Academy. Commissioned in 1988, he volunteered for the elite Special Forces. During his decade long stint with the Indian Army, he served extensively in almost all the insurgency-ridden areas in the subcontinent – Sri Lanka, Kashmir and the North-East of India. He is a recipient of the Sena Medal awarded for gallantry in operations in Sri Lanka, and the Army Chief’s Commendation Card.

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In Military Fiction with Heart

Transforming Experiences
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Abhay Narayan Sapru

Ex-Special Forces
Corporate Man
Author

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Stories Forged in Fire & Ink

books that take you on a journey of courage, honor, & untold truths

The Savage Hills

In the Valley of Shadows

The Beckoning Isle

Words About Words

Reflections from those who have journeyed through the pages of my books

Lt. Gen Prakash Katoch (Retired)

Another fascinating novel by Abhay Narayan Sapru, a third by him, that takes you through the challenges, tribulations, sweat, blood and gore of militancy and counter-insurgency in Kashmir. His characteristic inimitable style will keep you engrossed through to the last page of this narrative based on realities.

Gen. VP Malik (Former COAS)

A fascinating story written in superb language! It will not allow you to put down the book till it is finished. Having operated in counter-militancy operations along the Shamsabari Range and on either side of Pirpanjal Range in Jammu & Kashmir, I find the description of the terrain, locales and combat activities as authentic as can be. Only a Special Forces officer can go into such details.

Pralhad Kakkar (A Man with many hats)

Only a combat soldier could have written this! Abhay Sapru’s second book on war from a combat soldier’s perspective is the real McCoy. It catches you by the scruff of your neck and doesn’t let go till the end. A chapter of the Indian Army’s ill-fated adventure into Sri Lanka, fought in dense jungles, against a cornered comrade turned enemy, you can smell the fetid smell of the jungle, mixed with the smell of death, fear, courage and strangely, respect for an enemy who was fighting for its very survival. Only a combat soldier could have written this!

Lt Gen (Retd) Prakash Katoch

The lucid narration will keep you engrossed to the last word. The Beckoning Isle is a masterpiece in realistic settings of Sri Lanka during the days of the IPKF. Though it follows the travails of an Indian Special Forces Assault troop crisscrossing the path of an LTTE colonel, it takes you through a bit of history and the whole gambit of politics, intrigue, conflict, human behaviour and the tribulations that surrounded the war between the IPKF and the LTTE. The style of the author who himself was part of the IPKF is excellent and the lucid narration will keep you engrossed to the last word.

Shashi Tharoor

The Beckoning Isle is the story of the degeneration of a society and the vicious politics of retribution. But it is also a tale of two men, on opposite sides of the battle, united only by the fatalism of their ideologies. Abhay Sapru offers a unique perspective of the Sri Lankan War in an engaging, page-turning account of the clash between the Indian Peace Keeping Force and the LTTE, with voices from both sides of what will go down as one of history’s great tragedies.

Lt Gen (Retd) Prakash Katoch

Descriptions of terrain, actions, emotions, drama and violence keep you spell-bound. Through his first novel, Abhay shows the 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.

Pralhad Kakkar (A Man with many hats)

No frills, No armchair theory – Straight from the Hip. 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 armchair theory – straight from the hip. You can smell the cordite and the fear and most importantly you can get into the head of the enemy! Great read especially if you want to know what the fuck is going on in Kashmir.

In the Spotlight

Awards, accolades, & media recognition for stories that inspire & captivate

Abhay Sapru’s books have sparked conversations and captured hearts across a diverse spectrum of readers, from military enthusiasts and literary critics to everyday readers looking for stories that resonate. His unique blend of real-life experience and gripping storytelling has drawn attention from national media, podcast hosts, veteran forums, and book reviewers alike. Whether featured in newspapers, spoken about in interviews, or recommended in reading lists, his work continues to gain momentum and admiration. This section brings together the recognition his writing has received, a testament to its depth, authenticity, and universal appeal. From seasoned journalists to passionate bloggers, many have found something powerful in his words, making his stories not only widely read but widely respected.