Your book doesn’t just recount the 1965 war but highlights the “turning points” that defined its course. How did you identify which moments were truly decisive in shaping the outcome?
While researching and interviewing veterans, I realized that not every battle or skirmish altered the course of the war — some were courageous, some were lessons but not every battle was decisive. I focused on those fragile moments when India’s fate could have tipped either way. These were the turning points where leadership decisions, optimum use of terrain, sound strategy, or sheer audacity transformed a setback into a victory. Speaking to the war heroes and studying archival material helped me distinguish between ordinary clashes and those rare instants that redefined the war’s outcome.
You have said that the idea for this book came to you when you went on a visit to the Ahmednagar Tank Museum and a personal conversation with your father. Could you share more about that moment and how it sparked this journey?
At the Tank Museum in Ahmednagar Cantt., I noticed the word “Assal Uttar” painted on a tank and casually remarked that it seemed like a strange name – I was aware that tanks were given names by their commanders in a battle. My father, Brigadier Surinder Singh, immediately corrected- rather curtly —that it wasn’t a name, but an inscription honouring the battle of Assal Uttar, which had changed the course of the 1965 war. That quiet correction hit me deeply. I realized how little I, and most Indians, actually knew about these defining moments in history and otherwise. That spark turned into a mission — to capture these stories, preserve the voices of veterans, and bring to light the grit and courage of our bravehearts that shaped our nation’s destiny.
Many war accounts tend to glorify one side, but The Turning Points acknowledges both valour and missteps on either side. How did you strike this balance between patriotism and objectivity?
For me, patriotism is not blind nationalism — it is the courage to tell the story as it truly was. The 1965 war was a tapestry of grit and brilliance, but it also revealed cracks — in planning, coordination, intelligence and even leadership. To gloss over those flaws would diminish the sacrifices of the men on the ground who still turned the tide despite them and bore the brunt of it. Equally, I chose to acknowledge moments of skill and bravery on the other side, because valour is a human quality, not just a national one. And, our Military has its own ethos of honoring bravery and valor irrespective of caste, creed or nation.
While doing research for the book, you conducted interviews and dug into many archives. Was there one story or testimony that stayed with you on a deeply personal level?
For me, the story that has stayed closest is the battle from Saragarhi to Barki. The 4 SIKH Regiment (of the erstwhile 36th SIKH regiment which fought till last man standing in Sarahgarhi on 12 Sep 1897, and on which the movie ‘Kesariya’ is based) carried forward the spirit of Saragarhi, holding their ground under impossible conditions — no reinforcements, no food, and the hidden threat of enemy bunkers beneath the riverbed (which was not known to Indian military intelligence then).
What moved me most was not just their courage and unbreakable spirit but the trust they inspired – local villagers risking their lives to cut down the tall paddy fields so that our soldiers could advance swiftly, crawling through fields to get them some food. When they launched their offensive, despite not getting their reinforcements they took the decision to continue under the leadership of Lt. Col. Anant Singh, and against all odds, they went on to capture Barki — a feat of resilience, unity, and extraordinary grit.
That story stays with me because it shows how leadership astuteness, forward planning and adaptability with swift action and empowerment can bring out unimaginable change of circumstance. and till date the capture of Barki is hailed as a masterstroke.
At the Ferozepur cantonment, close to the International border visitors always pay a visit to the modest red sandstone structure inscribed with the words ‘Barki 10 Sep 1965’, and next to it a Patton tank of Pakistan Army with a milestone that reads ‘Lahore 15’ – this is how far Barki is away from Lahore and how close our military was to capturing the city.
You’ve critiqued missed opportunities and leadership failures during the war. How important was it for you to present these uncomfortable truths alongside tales of heroism?
I feel it is essential to talk about uncomfortable truths as well, as they impacted the turn of events. To speak only of glory would be to tell half a story. The 1965 war was filled with acts of unimaginable courage — like the capture of Haji Pir by Major Ranjit Dayal, the bravado of Major Baljit Randhawa in clearing the Kargil infiltrators (it is believed his spirit still stands vigil in this area!) or the stunning turnaround at Asal Uttar thanks to tactics of Brigadier Theograj, Lt. Col. Salem Caleb and Quartermaster Hamid who displayed raw courage by knocking off 4 enemy tanks by himself — but it was also shadowed by hesitation and missteps that nearly cost us everything. What if Lt. General Harbaksh had followed the COAS General Chaudhri’s orders and ordered the retreat from Assal Uttar? We would be a different Country for sure by now.!
Commanders who faltered in planning, opportunities lost at different fronts, divisions in strategy — these are not comfortable to hear, but they are part of the fabric of that war. By bringing them in, I wanted readers to feel the reality of what happens. It makes the daring of Lt. Gen. Harbaksh Singh’s steady resolve, or Air Chief Arjan Singh’s audacity in striking Sargodha, all the more extraordinary — because these weren’t triumphs written in stone, they were snatched from the edge of failure.
The book emphasizes not just courage but also leadership and strategy. From your perspective as a leadership coach, what lessons from the 1965 war stand out as relevant to today’s boardrooms and decision-makers?
What struck me while writing is how the battlefield often mirrors the boardroom.
The Warrior of Mandiala Heights cites the leadership of Lt. Col. Sangha when the enemy had the advantage of terrain and surprise and had surrounded the 3 MAHAR regiment – which was cut off from the other Indian Army units – it was his quick-thinking and resilience that turned a near disaster into a win — exactly what companies need when markets shift overnight.
The Hero of Dograi, where the town had to be captured twice, the lesson is persistence with purpose and leadership with trust — setbacks don’t define leaders, the willingness to return stronger does. The troops would have followed Lt. Col. Desmond Hayde to the end of the Earth if so commanded – such was his leadership and trust.
The capture of Barki is about trust and teamwork — soldiers, cut off from supplies, succeeded only because villagers stepped in at personal risk; no leader can succeed without rallying allies.
At Chhamb, when everything seemed lost, the timeliness of action mattered, the out-of-box thinking— one day’s stand and the Air Force’s entry changed the tide; in business, too, speed of decision-making and gauging competitive strength often defines survival.
And across the war, there are timeless stories of bravado, audacity and daring — proof that results come not just from strategy, but also from creativity, collaboration, resourcefulness and values-driven leadership.
The Battle of Assal Uttar and the audacious strikes on Sargodha are among the most memorable stories in the book. Which of these turning points resonated with you the most as a writer and why?
For me, the Battle of Assal Uttar resonated the most – simply because it started the quest of uncovering more stories – each story being a turning point. The battle also was a masterclass in ingenuity under pressure — outdated Shermans and Centurions facing off against Pakistan’s formidable sleek Pattons, and yet using terrain, grit, and good planning & intelligence to create what is still studied worldwide as a model of defensive strategy.
As a writer, I was drawn to the drama of it — sugarcane fields hiding tanks, soldiers lying in wait, and then the sudden reversal when the “invincible” Pattons were reduced to sitting ducks. It captures everything I wanted this book to stand for: that true turning points aren’t about superiority of resources, but about resilience, creativity, and the will to fight back when defeat seems inevitable.
Military history often risks being reduced to dates and battles. How did you ensure that your narratives remained human-centred and emotionally engaging for readers who may not be familiar with war chronicles?
I made a conscious choice not to write a dry chronology. Instead, I told the war through stories — short, self-contained narratives that put the reader right in the middle of the action. I focused on the men behind the uniforms: Maj. Ranjit Dayal climbing the rain-soaked ridges of Haji Pir, Capt. Shah of Kumaon in ‘The storming heroes of Tithwal’ who audaciously captured Point 9013, the 5 Squadron IAF boys led by Group Captain Amrik Singh in the ‘Hero of Peshawar Skies’ where they gleefully launched themselves on the enemy! These human moments bring out fear, tenacious moments, and sacrifice in ways a date on a page never could. By blending personal testimonies, verbatim details, and the drama of decision-making, I wanted readers — even those new to military history — to feel the heartbeat of each turning point.
This year marks 60 years since the 1965 war. In your view, why has this war remained somewhat overshadowed in public memory compared to the other conflicts India has fought?
There are a couple of factors that contribute to this. The 1965 war is overshadowed by the trauma of the 1962 war against China and the clear-cut outcome of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The defeat in 1962 left a deep mark on Indian consciousness, dominating the military and political discourse for years. The 1971 war, on the other hand, provided a conclusive victory for India, resulting in the creation of a new nation (Bangladesh) and a decisive shift in South Asian geopolitics, making it central to national pride and remembrance.
Unlike 1971, the 1965 war ended in what is often described as a stalemate, with both nations claiming victory but neither achieving their main strategic objectives. The ceasefire restored almost all pre-war positions, which itself led to a lot of bitter rebuttals. World opinion remains divided though India stands firm that it was Her victory, Her objective was never capture of Lahore – She defended Her lands and ensured that the enemy’s objective was not met i.e. capture of India. India only gave a resounding reply to the enemy by audaciously taking the battleground to their soil.
The 1965 war had lessons in plenty for the Military and became the foundational ground for many war strategies – IAF actively participated in all wars from there on, the need and formation of the para forces was raised, investing into better guns and machines was recognised, the need for good military intelligence was acutely felt and most importantly it showed how leadership backing, thanks to PM Lal Bahadur Shashtri was instrumental for being the force behind the Forces.
Beyond documenting history, what do you hope readers (especially the younger generation) take away from The Turning Points: 1965 War?
Reading “The Turning Points: 1965 War” is not just about understanding a historical event—it’s a call to reflect on lessons of resilience, strategy, and national pride that are highly relevant for the present and future generations. The book exposes readers to diverse experiences, hardships, and acts of courage, allowing them to understand the human cost and lasting impact of conflict. For young readers, connecting with characters who lived through past wars can help them appreciate peace and resilience, and recognize the meaning behind sacrifices made for society
In the book, Indian Forces, despite being less equipped, displayed extraordinary courage, reminding future leaders and citizens of the importance of perseverance and collective will. By reading about these conflicts, young readers absorb lessons about strategy, leadership, and the consequences of decisions—skills that are relevant even now. History acts as a mirror: books set decades ago spotlight how issues from the past echo in present-day politics and international relations, helping young people contextualize current events in a broader timeline
The stories allow young people to see beyond stereotypes and numbers, meeting historical figures and ordinary people who were shaped by extraordinary events.
In short, the book invites young readers to reflect, empathize, learn, and grow—skills and perspectives they will need as responsible citizens of the future.