Operation dragonfire by Siddhartha Thorat

​"Operation dragonfire" by Siddhartha Thorat - It’s the Tibet border!

This book is published by Shrishti publishers and distributors in 2022 and has 212 pages. This is Book 3 of Sanjay Khanna series. 

A deep cover Indian asset working in China occupied Tibet sends a message that he is exfiltrating in emergency. Head of special operations division  (TSD) to  of RAW, Sanjay Khanna, and his team enter Chinese territory and exfil the agent. This agent has information about a new weapon being deployed by Chinese that can tilt the power balance in Chinese favor and inflict multiple casualties on Indians. Sanjay has to find what it is and determine counter measures. 

What is the weapon? What is the Baluchi connection? Who is agent Puma? How can the weapon be neutralized? Will this alter the facts on ground at Tibetan border?

The exfil operation is exciting and interesting but it takes up lot of pages. Then comes the snatching of the Chinese scientist. This part is also exciting but it too takes a lot of pages. That leaves only 30 pages for the main story of taming the dragon. I thought that the third section of book is wrapped up quickly.  Nevertheless, it’s an interesting book and you don’t put it down easily. 

Sanjay Khanna is more decisive in this book than the previous. He is also now married. Here he depends on Baluchi separatists for support. Col. Buguti is the Baluchi freedom fighter but what happens to him at the end remains a mystery. Author has a habit of leaving loose ends. Aanya is Indian RAW operative stationed in Dubai and May have a role to play in the sequels.  

Prologue happens in Pakistan occupied Baluchistan. First and third part of the story happens in China occupied Tibet and second part in Dubai. 

The stationery used for this book is good. The font is also good. This makes the experience of reading pleasurable. However, the discordant note is proof reading. There are spelling mistakes, wrong words (parameter instead of perimeter, read instead of ready etc.). Sanjay’s unit is called TSU in previous book and TSD in this book. Book says Pakistani embassy is in Dubai, actually it’s a consulate, embassy is in Abu Dhabi. Why would one employ a novice on a critical mission that will determine the future of the group? Isn’t it sensible that you test the novice in less important missions to test his competence and mettle before assigning critical mission to him? The sub-editor is found napping multiple times. My objection on author’s previous two book remains in this book too. Too many characters, including the protagonist, are shown smoking. Why does author promote smoking when it has hardly any relevance to the story?

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Errors as mentioned above. 

What did I like? Overall effect. 

Recommend reading.