India, May 10 -- Right from the first chapter, Kupwara Codes throws the reader into a charged plot - a young influencer, Sayema Haider, is drawn into a dark conspiracy, recruited by a Pakistani general to destabilise India. Parallelly, in Kashmir, freshly commissioned Lt Deepak Lathwal teams up with the legendary Maj Danny Deka of the Gorkha Rifles to thwart a terrorist ambush, setting the tone for this action-heavy military thriller. The debut novel - first in The Gorkha Garrison trilogy - quickly unravels a high-stakes mission as Lathwal and Deka take on the cryptic legacy of 'Code Man', a master terrorist whose encrypted note shapes the story long after his death. Packed with fast-paced action and battlefield urgency, the narrative draws on the author's own military experience, lending authenticity to its fictional core. Released in the shadow of real-world attacks like the recent Pahalgam incident, the book doesn't rely on jingoism. Instead, it takes a sharp look at systemic failures - drawing stark lines between discipline and sycophancy, autocracy and bureaucracy - while also depicting the human cost of conflict. From villagers forced out of their homes to soldiers mourning fallen comrades, collateral damage is rendered with care. While certain elements may feel overly dramatic or cliched, the story remains engaging, with Sayema's quiet transformation from influencer to extremist hinting at darker developments to come. Kupwara Codes doesn't just chase terrorists - it reflects on what it means to wear the uniform: courage, grief, duty, and unwavering loyalty to the nation. Title: Kupwara Codes: The Gorkha Garrison Series Book I Author: Maj Manik M Jolly (Retd) Publisher: HarperCollins India Price: Rs.299...