Book Review: Black Tornado - The Military Operations of 26/11 by Sandeep Unnithan

I only expected Sandeep Unnithan's 'Black Tornado' to refresh my knowledge of the details of the terror attack that occurred what now seems like aeons ago. Having consumed several documentaries, movies and books (The Siege, Headley and I) on the attacks, Unnithan's book was strictly a purchase in the quick/ airport/ nothing-better-to read sense. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

If 'The Siege' is 26/11 from the Taj Hotel's perspective and 'Headley and I' from the terrorist's/ unwitting confidante's, 'Black Tornado' is 26/11 from the perspective of the security forces. In that sense, it fills a critical gap in the understanding of 26/11 - the military perspective. Unnithan removes the veil from the functioning of the bureaucracy and the various security forces ranging from the completely outmatched police force to the effective MARCOS and eventually NSG, in response to the attack.

Fitted with decades old gear and outmatched rifles, what struck me was the spirit of the Indian soldier. Black Tornado is essential reading as a history book, a book on urban warfare tactics and then, for the very human stories of the several bravehearts that looked those terrorists unblinkingly in the eye.