The Srinagar conspiracy by Vikram Chandra

"The Srinagar conspiracy" by Vikram Chandra. This book is published by Penguin India in 2000 and has 304 pages.

Vijay Kaul and Habib Shah are best friends in Kashmir before the militancy. Vijay joins army and Habib joins JKLF. Yasmin is soft spot of both of them. 

There is a big terrorist attack afoot. What is the target? Is it Bill Clinton in his visit to India? Who is the dreaded terrorist Jalaluddin? What happened in Charar-e-sharif?

Author has used all the incidents in the history of Kashmir, post independence, and blended them with the story by inserting the characters in those events seamlessly. Events like Start of insurgency, rigging of elections, training camps in Pakistan, ,Charar-e-Sharif, entry and domination of foreign terrorists, Kandahar hijack etc. are woven in the story. Charar-e-Sharif siege and burning of the Shrine of Nund Rishi, patron saint of Kashmir, is covered in detail. 

Vikram Chandra is a well known TV reporter and anchor. The narration of this book is reporter like. A large part of the book reads like a documentary or news report rather than a novel, but keeps the readers interested nevertheless. Author's day job seems to have influenced the writing style. 

There is a big plot afoot. Terrorists want to score a victory that will bring India to it's knees.

The Srinagar conspiracy, i.e. the terrorist attack, is about 10% length of the book. Too short. Moreover it lacks the adrenaline rush and action that makes a thriller 'thriller'. 

Author leaves some questions unanswered. Who was the traitor? What did Jalaluddin do when he confronted another traitor? Why? Why did the bomber choose his side?

The book promises a lot but does not deliver enough. 

Give it a miss.