Operation hellfire by Siddhartha Thorat

​"Operation hellfire" by Siddhartha Thorat - Arch enemy Pakistan!

This book is published by Shrishti publishers and distributors in 2020 and has 192 pages. 

Farrukh (Nom de guerre Shahrukh Khan) is an ex-ISI officer and Pakistani LET terrorist. He as well as Pakistani establishment is miffed about the current strong Prime Minister of India who has taken a stand that there will be no dialogue with Pakistan and his treatment of Pakistan as nothing more than an irritant. Farrukh comes up with an operation in India that will make 26/11 look minor. Farrukh is told that ISI has selected Major Mansour Khan to lead it with Captain Ansar Babar as his deputy and Farrukh’s role is of logistics and procuring equipment that can’t be traced back to Pakistanis. 

What is the plan? What is the weapon? What is the target? Can Sanjay stop it?

A lucky break and a surveillance footage hacked from Pakistani CCTVs alerts RAW. Head of special operations cell (TSU) of RAW, Sanjay Khanna, from previous book (Operation Fox Hunt), is assigned to find out what the weapon will be, how will it come to India, where the attack will be and then neutralize it.

Sanjay is a veteran and hero, but author doesn’t show any evidence of his superior intellect. He acts like any other ordinary officer and relies on input from other agency to act. When he meets Nikita, he transforms into puppy. Looks like author wanted to give the character human touch, but fails. Lt. Colonel Nikita Singla is the weapons expert who helps identify the weapon. Sushant is Sanjay’s second in command. Two characters (Farrukh and Sushant) appear to be important but quietly fade out. Farrukh disappears after procuring weapon, no trace of what happens to him. Sushant quietly fades out in the action packed end. 

A major portion of story happens in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The weapon lands in India in last 50 pages and then the story accelerates till the climax. The climax has a touch of reality to it, not a Rambo style end. 

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 (bought instead of brought, parameter instead of perimeter etc.).  There are some obvious errors like Sanjay calling Secretary-R when mobile towers are switched off, telephone lines are cut and jammers are installed. The sub-editor is found napping multiple times. My objection on author’s previous 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?

I am planning to read next book in the series that is published this year. Will see if the loose ends of this book were left intentionally for the next book. 

Why did I read this book? Author’s first book was good. 

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

What did I like? Overall effect.

Recommend reading.