New Military Books Worth Reading Before the Year Ends

Unfolded: Fauji Speak on Civvy Street by Pankaj P Singh steps away from strategy and dives into the rich, witty world of military lingo that has quietly seeped into everyday civilian life. From the origins of “doolally” to the genius of fauri ilaaj, it uncovers how fauji slang, abbreviations, and barrack-room humour travel far beyond cantonment walls.

Blending cultural history, global war literature, and a comic dictionary of expressions, it reveals the surprising military DNA behind words we use casually—like “roger that.” A sharp, engaging read for civvies, fauji brats, and anyone fascinated by the lingo of the armed forces.

Buy here: Unfolded: Fauji Speak on Civvy Street

Who are the men flying India’s most lethal fighter jets? What does it take to steer massive aircraft into hostile, war-torn zones and return unshaken? Wings of Valour answers these questions with uncommon intimacy.

Award-winning author Swapnil Pandey travelled across Indian airbases, meeting fighter pilots, transport and helicopter crews, Garud commandos, veterans, and Kargil heroes. Through their voices, she reveals the grit, precision, and quiet courage that define the Indian Air Force, offering a powerful portrait of the warriors who guard our skies and uphold the legacy of one of the world’s finest air forces.

Buy here: Wings Of Valour: True Stories of the Indian Air Force's Daring Operations (Signed Edition)

Set in a land where breathtaking beauty meets relentless conflict, this memoir pulls you straight into the heart of Kashmir’s most turbulent years. Maj Gen Ranjan Mahajan, SM, VSM, who served five tenures across Jammu & Kashmir, recounts stories lived in snowbound posts, crowded bazaars, and perilous encounter zones.

He writes of young soldiers shaped by fire, civilians navigating faith and fear, and a region that refuses to surrender its spirit. With honesty and emotional depth, he captures moments of courage, loss, grace, and resilience—offering a powerful reminder that even in the harshest conflict zones, humanity not only survives but often shines.

Buy here: Kashmir in the Line of Fire: A Memoir of Its Unordinary People and Soldiers

For readers who love military fiction with atmosphere and depth, Cantonment Ghosts promises to be an irresistible addition. Building on the success of The Crossover Girl and Black Horse Down, Ashok Ahlawat returns with a collection that spans the full spectrum of thrill in the military life.

The title story, Of Col Roberts and Some Other Cantonment Ghosts, sets an intriguing tone as officers recount encounters with the paranormal. Ahlawat blends military folklore with authentic cantonment culture, revealing how the past is never truly past.

Now available in Hindi, Operation Sindoor by Lt Gen KJS Tiny Dhillon, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM (retd), is a timely chance to revisit one of India’s most decisive military operations before the year ends. Born out of the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor marked a bold demonstration of India’s modern military capability as it struck terror camps in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and PoJK.

With clear, gripping detail, the book unpacks the four intense days of confrontation between two nuclear-armed nations—covering strategy, technology, diplomacy, and the battle of narratives that played out across media. A must-read for anyone seeking deeper insight into India’s evolving defence posture and counterterror resolve.

Buy here: Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India's Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan (Hindi Release)

If forgotten military rebellions and unsung heroes intrigue you, this book is one you shouldn’t miss before the year ends. The Battle of Narnaul revisits one of the fiercest clashes of 1857—an encounter marked by immense sacrifice and a leader whose legacy has long remained in the shadows. Rao Tula Ram wasn’t just a warrior; he was a master strategist who quietly built alliances across Rajputana and later sought support from Persia, Afghanistan, and Russia to challenge British power.

Through meticulous research, Kulpreet Yadav and Madhur Rao revive this extraordinary six-year resistance, bringing to life the courage, political intrigue, and stealthy planning that shaped a forgotten fight for freedom. Clear, gripping, and richly detailed, this retelling is a must-read for anyone who loves uncovering the hidden layers of India’s military history.

This new military book offers something few stories manage to capture with such honesty: unfiltered courage born in the very heart of hostility. Rifleman Aurangzeb grew up in Salani, Poonch, where militancy was rampant and siding with India was life-threatening. Yet he chose the uniform—openly, proudly, and fearlessly.

Damini Punia traces his journey from a boy who watched militants threaten his family to a soldier who inspired an entire village to send its sons into the armed forces. And even in his final moments, he showed no fear, becoming a symbol of fierce loyalty behind the uniform.

As we close the year, these books remind us that the story of the Indian military is far richer than operations and uniforms—it is a tapestry woven with language, legends, sky-bound warriors, forgotten battles, deep-strike missions, and everyday heroes who rise from the toughest soil.

These are stories that honour the ones who guard our skies, our borders, our villages, and our future. May reading them remind you that bravery comes in many forms, and its legacy lives on in those willing to stand tall when it matters most.

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