Operation Haygreeva by Prabhakar Aloka

​"Operation Haygreeva" by Prabhakar Aloka -Spy thriller!

This book is published by Penguin Random House India in 2021 and has 288 pages.  

Six bomb blasts in Mumbai locals. Another bomb blast. Responsibility taken by a new terrorist organization called Lashkar-e-Hind. Chief of IB assigns the case to Head of Central Counterterrorism Command (C3), Ravi Kumar. Ravi recruits three trainees. 

Who are the trainees? Who is Sullu? Who is the mole? What is the objective of the terrorists? What is Operation Haygreeva?

It’s a spy thriller. The story is free flowing. Ravi is tall, well built, intelligent and known for his unconventional ways. He was fast tracked as Head of C3 due to his achievements. Mihir Kaul from Delhi, is second generation spy. He is selected for his keen observation, awareness and intelligence. Cyrus Bandookwala is from Pune and is known to speak out his mind. Jose is from Kerala and is a computer Wiz kid. Sarita is IB chief and Ravi’s boss. Anil is Ravi’s senior and has a grudge against Ravi and his achievements. 

It’s a very critical Operation. The terrorists are many steps ahead. In such a situation, usually the experienced, tried and tested team should be assigned in the case. But assignment of 3 trainees in critical positions and assigning them important tasks is baffling. It’s ok for the story but won’t happen in reality. 

Ravi is shown as a smoker and smokes to clear his mind. Author even has the gall to suggest that when you are tensed, cigarette helps you feel light. No idea why the author glorifies smoking. Completely unnecessary!

There are a few open ends in the story. What happens to Anil? Who is the mole in IB? What happens to Mihir’s mom and Cyrus’ girlfriend? What happens to Tabrez, Iqbal and Rukhsana? That may be left open by design for the sequel. 

Some attention to details was in order. This book was published after Osama Bin Laden was killed but the book mentions that Bin Laden is still at large. He was at large when the book was written, but that should have been changed before publication.

The book starts with pregnant Sullu in prologue. Then Sullu disappears from the book. She reappears in epilogue giving birth to a baby boy. She must have an important role to play in the sequel. I have my guess as to who she is. Let’s wait till I read the sequel. 

Usually authors narrate the story in past tense. This story, however, is narrated in simple present tense. Something different!

So what is Haygreeva? It’s an avatar of Vishnu taken to sly a demon. It’s also name of this Operation. 

A sequel to this book titled ‘Operation Sudarshan Chakra’ is already released and is on my read list next. 

Why did I read this book? Title. Blurb. 

What did I like? Enigma of Sullu.

What I didn't like? Smoking, use of trainees.  

Read if you liked the review.