Despatches From Kargil

Contents: 1. The journey. 2. An earlier war. 3. Drass. 4. Mushkoh Valley. 5. Kargil. 6. Batalik. 7. Sting, counter-sting. 8. Highway karma. 9. Epilogue. Index.

"In Despatches from Kargil, Srinjoy Chowdhury, who covered the war for the statesman, recounts what it was like for journalists to battle against deadlines, shellfire-and particularly vicious bedbugs-to transmit their reports. He draws graphic pictures of the major assaults, such as in Drass and Batalik, relying heavily on the first-hand accounts of those who took part in the action. There are memorable portrayals of the soldiers and officers too-sometimes of the other side as well. This is war reportage at its best: observant, objective, and ultimately, for all the wry understatement , extremely moving."