It is with great admiration that we share with you, that a book “Kashmir in the Line of Fire” authored by Major General Ranjan Mahajan, SM, VSM (Retd), which is soon going to be released.
2. In his book “Kashmir in the Line of Fire”, he has sought to capture the essence of human courage – not in grand gestures or historical headlines, but in the quiet, steadfast resolve of ordinary men who rise to extraordinary challenges. This book is a tribute to the spirit of soldiers and warriors who have lived and fought in the most testing conditions, and who, in the face of relentless adversity, have displayed not only valour but also compassion, ingenuity, and humanity. A brief about the proud Veteran is annotated in the succeeding paras.
3. Maj Gen Ranjan Mahajan, commissioned into the 4th Battalion, the Rajputana Rifles in 1987, is a distinguished General Officer with over 35 years of exemplary service. A seasoned leader and scholar-soldier, he has served across India’s diverse terrains and led crucial operations in Kashmir.
4. He commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in South Kashmir where he was also the Company Commander, an Infantry Brigade on the Line of Control, North Kashmir and a Division on the Western Borders. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, the College of Defence Management, and the National Defence College, he has been honoured with the Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
5. These pages of the book are filled with stories born in the hinterlands & on the frontlines of Kashmir – stories of comradeship and sacrifice, of moments when life hung by a thread, and of the indomitable spirit that carried us forward despite the odds. They are stories of people he has served with, laughed with, and mourned for; men who faced not just the enemy outside, but the doubts, fears, and battles within.
6. Through his five tenures in Kashmir, he has witnessed how the Army’s ethos shapes ordinary individuals into warriors of exceptional resilience. The culture of duty, discipline, and devotion transforms moments of fear into opportunities for courage, and setbacks into lessons of faith. What begins as a profession soon becomes a calling – a way of life where camaraderie is the strongest armour and self-belief the sharpest weapon.
7. Yet, this book is not only about the Army. It is about the Power of the Ordinary – about how people, regardless of where they serve or what they do, possess the innate strength to persevere, innovate, and inspire. The courage displayed in the line of fire is no different from the courage needed in everyday life – to stand by one’s values, to confront hardship with dignity, and to keep moving forward when everything seems lost. The lessons learnt on the battlefield transcend the military. Whether in corporate boardrooms, political leadership, education or sports, the principles of leadership, empathy, and teamwork are universal.
8. “Kashmir in the Line of Fire” is thus both a personal reflection and a collective chronicle. It is a testament to the countless unsung heroes whose stories deserve to be told – not just for their bravery in battle, but for their humanity beyond it. Through these narratives of grit, brotherhood, and sacrifice, he hopes readers – soldiers and civilians alike – will discover that the extraordinary often resides within the ordinary, waiting only for adversity to bring it to light.
9. This book is his homage – to the land that tested us, to the people who stood shoulder to shoulder in its defence, and to the timeless spirit of resilience that continues to define the Indian soldier in the line of fire.
About the Author
