Rajpal Punia - Operation Khukri: The True Story behind the Indian Armys Most Successful Mission as part of the United Nations

Operation Khukri is a fascinating and gripping account of one of the finest United Nations Peacekeeping operations, undertaken in Sierra Leone, West Africa, during 2000. It is the story of 233 Indian Army officers and men, who were besieged for over three months without any replenishment or resupplies, encircled by rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The RUF demanded the surrender of all UN peacekeepers, including a British and a Russian officer, but the troops of the Indian garrison at Kailahun, displaying nerves of steel and an indomitable spirit, refused to lay down their arms. As the Additional Director, General Military Operations, I was masterminding Operation Khukri and ensuring that Major Punia and his garrison were provided all possible support, including gunship helicopters of our air force and long-range artillery, so as to make this force capable of undertaking a fighting withdrawal rather than surrender. I could not take my eyes off this engrossing narrative. This book is recommended to our soldiers and countrymen, and also to all UN peacekeepers, as it very eloquently describes an operation, one of the most outstanding in the annals of UN Peacekeeping history, where soldiers of the Indian Army chose death over cowardice, dignity over two meals and honour over freedomGeneral J.J. Singh (retd), former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, and former Chief of the Army Staff

Operation Khukri was conducted by the Indian peacekeeping contingent during my tenure as Army Chief. This is an inspiring story based on the personal experience of an Indian military peacekeeper in the deep jungles of Sierra Leone. It is about his involvement in winning the hearts and minds of the locals, negotiating peace and then leading a fighting break-out when his camp of 233 soldiers was surrounded, for over two months, by armed rebels. When faced with conflict, his soldierly mindset and devotion to duty scored over his moral conscienceGeneral V.P. Malik, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, former Chief of the Army Staff

It is a matter of privilege and personal pride for me to write a few words on the military heroes of the country, who rendered their heroic services not only for safeguarding the sovereignty of India but also beyond our borders, in far-flung Kailahun, Sierra Leone, West Africa, in 2000. I express my deep gratitude towards the members of the armed forces and their families, for their courage and sacrifice while serving for the United Nations during Operation Khukri, led by Major Rajpal Punia (now Major General). I congratulate Major General Punia, one of the 233 soldiers who worked tirelessly to shape the brave story of Operation Khukri. This book is a befitting tribute to our immortal soldiers who laid down their lives to keep the tricolour flying high. It will surely be a treasure trove of inspiration for the coming generations, the armed forces and for all those who wish to learn about the heroic deeds of our brave soldiers like Havildar Krishan Kumar, Sena Medal (posthumous). I appreciate the efforts made by Major General Punia in the making of this book and wish him all the success in his future endeavoursDroupadi Murmu, Governor of Jharkhand

Operation Khukri is an important, distinguished and educative account of the trials and triumphs of a real war hero on the epic battlefields of Sierra LeonePhagu Chauhan, Governor of Bihar

Operation Khukri is a gem of a book that deserves to be read by every Indian. It will surely keep the reader hooked till the end. Brilliant narration. Operation Khukri signals our glorious victory and enhances our respect for our armed forcesJagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of West Bengal

Fighting the deadliest rebel force is not easy, and doing so on their own turf is difficult 100 times over. But our 233 brave soldiers fought their way to freedom. This book is the epitome of valour and pride of our soldiers in Olive GreenRandeep Hooda, actor and equestrian

I was a military observer at Kailahun during the May 2000 crisis and was held hostage by the RUF rebels along with Major Punia. I was witness to the heroic and responsive leadership of Major Punia in handling the crisis. Major Punias efforts in Kailahun carved a glorious path for IndiaNepal relations. It was because of his diligent endeavour that all peacekeepers and military observers returned to their respective countries with honour and dignityMajor General Suresh Kumar Karki, Suprawal Jana Sewa Shree, Gorkha Dakchhinbahu, Nepal Army

It is rare for Indian soldiers on a peacekeeping mission to first become prisoners of the local militia and then, after months of captivitywithout much food or sleepto fight their way out of their camp, surrounded by armed rebels in the jungles of Africa. This required a daring plan, tenacity, professionalism and sheer cold courage. Major (now General) Rajpal Punia, and his determined band of officers and men from 14 Mechanised Infantry and a Gorkha Unit (5/8 GR), did precisely that, to create a legacy that will perhaps never be emulated in the foreseeable future. Hats off to Rajpal Punia and his band of very brave men. Major Punias leadership, despite enormous pressures, in confronting multiple factors in war-torn but diamond-rich Sierra Leone in West Africa, was remarkable. He sought peace to the very end but not a compromise, as surrender for him and his men was not an option. Thus, he eventually led his men in a dramatic break-out from his camp, surrounded by heavily armed rebels, to a rendezvous with his headquarters. Before doing so, Major Punia exercised astute politicaldiplomatic skills (normally not the forte of a soldier) while keeping as his primary aim the preservation of Indias dignity and the honour of the tricolour. It is a story that every Indianespecially army officersmust read and learn from. This is a tale of leadership and valour, superbly narrated by Damini Punia. It is the stuff that legends are made ofMaroof Raza, defence analyst, and consulting editor, Times Network