How Pakistan’s Air Bases Were Hit in Op Sindoor: Inside IAF’s Biggest War Operations During Kargil

Pandey described her interactions with Air Marshal Avdhesh Kumar Bhardwaj, a key figure in Operation Sindoor, admiring his calm composure and quick wit during wartime. His mix of discipline, spirituality, and humour, she said, reflected the deeply rooted culture of India’s armed forces. The author also highlighted the contribution of women officers such as Wing Commander Yumnika Singh, calling them symbols of strength and modernity who refuse to be limited by gendered expectations.

The discussion expanded to the Pathankot Air Base attack, where Corporal Gurusevak Singh’s bravery saved countless lives. Pandey lamented how little-known his story remains despite his ultimate sacrifice. She also spoke of the Garud Commandos, the Air Force’s elite special forces, whose stealth, discipline, and ground operations redefine air warfare.

From the tortured resilience of Group Captain Nachiketa, India’s lone Kargil POW, to the love stories of officers and their families, Wings of Valour celebrates both courage and compassion.

Concluding the discussion, Barkha Dutt remarked that the book is as much about love as it is about valour — a reminder that every act of service carries a heartbeat of sacrifice and devotion.