From Lage Raho Leadership to manuscripts in progress: field-tested wisdom, put on paper.
Two published books and two manuscripts, all written from the field.
It is the real-life journey of 18 Rashtriya Rifles Unit of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment deployed in Lolab, North Kashmir, 2006-2008.
It is an account by Colonel Sanjay. P. Vishwasrao, its commanding officer (CEO).
In the first half of 2006, 18 RR was in national news for suicide by a officer who had earlier earned a gallantry award. This had been preceded by two soldier suicides and an inquiry into allegations of a fake encounter. On the request of Lt Gen Deepak Summanwar, Colonel of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, Lt Col Sanjay. P. Vishwasrao volunteered to lead 18 RR despite what he was seeing on national TV.
The book is about the turn-around which culminated in 18 RR winning peace for 60,000 people of Lolab and the prestigious Army Commander’s Unit Appreciation in Jan 2009. Colonel Sanjay. P. Vishwasrao was awarded the Sena Medal (distinguished service) for this effort.
A more detailed and updated edition is being readied for publication in 2027.
It is the real-life journey of code name Umar, a Kashmiri who returned to India after terrorist training in Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan to join hands with the Indian Army to fight foreign terrorists in Kashmir. Such former terrorists were called Ikhwan (militia).
The book was planned and edited by Maj Gen Sanjay. P. Vishwasrao and was released by Lt Gen DP Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander. The aim was the resettlement of these brave Kashmiris who fought the tide of Azadi and Pakistan in Kashmir, shoulder-to-shoulder with their Army, in early 1990s.
Code Umar was forced to pick up a Rifle AK 47, nearly died during his exfiltration to Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir for training, got disillusioned seeing Pakistani deceit behind the azadi movement and joined hands with the Indian Army to help defeat terrorism.
The most interesting story is how the Pakistan Army tried to infiltrate the Chinar Corps Commander’s office through Umar’s brother serving in the Indian Army.
Originally drafted in 2019–2020, this manuscript remained unpublished because the requisite permission from the Indian Army and the Government could not be obtained at the time (serving officers are not permitted to publish on religion and another country). It is now being updated and prepared for publication in 2027–2028.
Based on extensive research, supported by 433 bibliography entries compiled by 2020, the book examines the ideological foundations of Pakistan, including the Two-Nation Theory and Pakistaniat; Pakistani rewriting of the history of Bharat’s freedom struggle and the creation of Pakistan; and the role of the Pakistan Army and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan in shaping the historical narrative subsequently presented as Pakistan Studies. It also examines the use of lies, deceit and deception in Pakistan’s statecraft and in its conduct of national affairs.
Since completing the original manuscript, I have continued to track Pakistan’s evolving narratives and actions, and to share my analysis through my X accounts, @LageRahoKashmir and @SP_Vishwasrao. This continuing engagement has enabled me to track subsequent developments in order to prepare an updated manuscript for a new readership.
The forthcoming edition aims to bring together historical research, strategic analysis and observations informed by my professional experience to examine how ideology, historical narratives and deception intersect in Pakistan’s statecraft—and what this means for India’s strategic understanding of its neighbour.
Partially drafted in 2021–2022, this manuscript remains a work in progress. I resumed work on it in 2026, and helping edit Smt Ranjna Raina’s 2022 book, Eyes Wide Open: Story of Tiranga in Kashmir, helped refresh my memories of those momentous years.
This book is my personal account of how we seized the opportunity created by the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019 to work alongside our Kashmiri friends in challenging and countering seven decades of Pakistani propaganda. Emboldened by the prospect of a different future, Kashmiris began asserting their aspirations in a powerful and visible way—hoisting the Indian Tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar and taking up candles to challenge the climate of fear perpetuated by terrorism.
At its heart, this is a tribute to the courage, conviction and aspirations of the people who dared to imagine a different future for Kashmir. As my salute to them, I intend to include the stories of each courageous Kashmiri whose actions helped bring alive the dream of a Naya Kashmir under the Indian Tricolour.
Planned for publication in 2026–2027, the book draws on my personal experiences and recollections of events as they unfolded on the ground between 2020 and 2022. In the meantime, readers can explore my earlier Twitter/X account, @LageRahoKashmir, to revisit the contemporary posts, photographs and other material documenting this journey as it happened.
“I fought to protect Bharat with my rifle, knowledge and my smartphone; I write to enlighten her children. I write as per my warrior dharma, as an offering, not for wealth, fame or applause, but because wisdom unshared is a debt unpaid.”