When the Madrid-based Indian author Roshan Bhondekar and defense expert Niloy Chattaraj co-authored The Fire of Sindoor, they didn’t just document a military operation—they chronicled a nation’s moral and strategic awakening. Their meticulously researched book offers an unprecedented inside look into Operation Sindoor, India’s decisive military response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack. In doing so, the duo has crafted what many are calling a definitive modern account of India’s evolving security doctrine.
Recently, Niloy Chattaraj presented a copy of The Fire of Sindoor to Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghchalak (Chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—a moment that symbolically linked the book’s nationalistic fervor to the ideological and cultural conscience of modern India. The meeting marked a proud milestone for both authors, affirming the resonance their work has found across the country’s intellectual and political circles.
For Roshan Bhondekar, the idea for The Fire of Sindoor was born out of anguish and reflection. “The April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam was a turning point that compelled me to reflect deeply on the nation’s response to violence,” says Bhondekar. “The military operation that followed targeting terrorist infrastructure became more than just a tactical mission; it embodied the courage, strategy, and sacrifices that define such moments.”
The Pahalgam tragedy, in which 26 civilians were killed, sent shockwaves through the country. Yet, within two weeks, India had launched a surgical and symbolic response—Operation Sindoor. The mission targeted terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), employing a combination of BrahMos and SCALP missiles, cyber warfare, and real-time intelligence coordination.
Bhondekar’s book explores this not just as a military success, but as a moment of collective moral clarity. “In writing this book, I wanted to go beyond the headlines, examining not only the operational details but also the immense human cost carried by soldiers, families, and civilians,” he explains. “My effort has been to weave together insights from international media, experts, and on-the-ground realities to create a more nuanced account,” he further adds.
That approach has resonated with readers and policymakers alike. The book is being praised for offering what Bhondekar calls a “clear-eyed account that honors the truth of India’s military precision and restraint.”
Beyond its analytical depth, The Fire of Sindoor also carries a philanthropic dimension. Bhondekar has pledged that all royalties from the book will be donated to Indian NGOs supporting orphaned children—a gesture that aligns with the book’s broader theme of justice and compassion. “This is my small way of ensuring that the fire we speak of in the title also becomes a flame of hope for those left behind by violence,” he says.
The synergy between Bhondekar and Chattaraj is what gives The Fire of Sindoor its unique character. “Our collaboration grew out of complementary strengths,” Bhondekar explains. “I brought in my background as a filmmaker to shape the storytelling arc and ensure the narrative was accessible and human-centric. Niloy, with his expertise in electronics and electronic-warfare communication, contributed the technical and military-systems depth that makes the analysis credible and precise.”
For Niloy Chattaraj, this collaboration was both a creative and intellectual challenge. “In practice, Roshan focused on the storytelling and context, while I concentrated on the systems, tactics, and doctrinal implications of the operation,” he says. The result is a book that marries the precision of a defense white paper with the emotional pull of a feature film script.
From Chattaraj’s perspective, Operation Sindoor marked a watershed in modern limited warfare. “Unlike conventional wars that dragged on for weeks and sometimes years, this was a swift, high-precision campaign that combined air power, cyber operations, and indigenous missile systems to deliver maximum impact in minimum time,” he explains. “Instead of territorial conquest, Sindoor represented a precise, high-technology, politically calibrated offensive that achieved maximum effect with minimum escalation.”
He highlights the strategic factors that tilted the scales in India’s favor: “Superior intelligence, electronic warfare that blinded Pakistani defenses, precision strikes using homegrown technology, and above all, the unity of political will and military execution.”
The authors are unequivocal about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership during the crisis. “The Prime Minister was vociferous against terrorism from the day he took charge,” says Chattaraj. “By giving the armed forces a free hand, he removed the hesitation that often hampers swift military response. The confidence at the top ensured that the operation was planned and executed without bureaucratic delays.”
Chattaraj believes this synergy between political decisiveness and military professionalism will be studied globally. “It was not just firepower—it was the seamless fusion of technology, planning, and resolve that ensured India’s overwhelming success,” he adds.
From press conferences across India to diplomatic circles in Europe, The Fire of Sindoor has been on an impressive trajectory. Bhondekar recently presented a copy of the book to the Ambassador of India in Spain, and later to the Secretary of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, following a special request from the PM’s office. The Indian Embassy in Madrid even shared the moment on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating Bhondekar’s achievement.
In India, the book has found its way into libraries, IITs, IIMs, and media circles, while also being presented to ministers and diplomats. “We’ve made sure to present ourselves as co-authors in every public roll-out,” Bhondekar notes. “This is a shared project, a shared responsibility.”
Recently, Chattaraj presented the book to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during the Akhand Bharat Sankalp Programme in Nagpur, further expanding its reach among policymakers. The inclusion of a quote by Emir Lahouari Benarba Ben Mahiedinne Al Hassani, the great-great-grandson of Algerian resistance hero Emir Abdelkader, also gives the book an international philosophical dimension—connecting India’s story of resilience with global struggles for justice.
The recent presentation of The Fire of Sindoor to Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS Chief, added a profound ideological and cultural resonance to the book’s journey. For both Bhondekar and Chattaraj, the moment was deeply symbolic. “We wanted the message of the book to reach those who shape India’s intellectual and moral discourse,” says Chattaraj. “Meeting Mohan Bhagwat ji and presenting him the book was an honor. His interest reflected how deeply Operation Sindoor’s story connects with India’s national spirit.”
For Niloy Chattaraj, the mission is ongoing: “This book is a tribute not just to the soldiers who fought, but to every citizen who believes in India’s right to defend itself with dignity and strength.”
Ultimately, The Fire of Sindoor is not just a chronicle of warfare—it’s a meditation on nationhood, leadership, and moral courage. As Bhondekar reflects, “India’s strength in that moment wasn’t in loud rhetoric but in quiet, calculated precision. That’s what makes Operation Sindoor different, and why it will likely be studied as a benchmark in India’s counter-terror strategy.”
Together, their words remind readers that the true “fire of sindoor” burns not just in missiles and maps—but in the hearts of those who dare to defend their nation.
