In Guns Under My Chinar, former chief of police A.M. Watali of the Kashmir Valley reveals how
covert warfare, espionage and geopolitical manoeuvres have shaped and reshaped the geopolitical
landscape of Kashmir.
From the region’s first bank robbery by Al Fatah to the failed assassination attempt of Indira Gandhi
to the brutal lynching of Ayub Pandit, Watali offers gripping accounts that go deep into the heart of
the strife that has engulfed the Valley since 1947. Recounting his meetings with Mumbai underworld
dons Karim Lala and Haji Mastan and the harrowing experience of surviving assassination attempts,
Watali pulls back the curtain on a world of intrigue and danger in riveting detail.
Guns Under My Chinar: Kashmir’s Covert Wars is not only a meticulously detailed account but also
a fearless exploration of the big games played by vested interests. It provides a rare glimpse into a
clandestine world with its wealth of untold stories and valuable insights.
This book serves as a wake-up call, challenging policymakers and historians to rethink their
understanding of the solution to the Kashmir issue.
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Specifications
Book Details
Publication Year
2024 April
Number of Pages
240
Contributors
Author Info
Retired IPS officer A.M. Watali navigated challenging circumstances throughout his career. Born in
Kashmir, he served as the Valley’s police chief for three terms, from 1983 to 1989.
His outstanding efforts in maintaining peace and combating militancy in the Valley have earned
him numerous accolades, including the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, the
Sher-i-Kashmir Gold Medal for Excellence in Investigation of Crime and the prestigious Paul H.
Appleby Award.
Watali’s debut book, Kashmir Intifada (2017), received widespread acclaim and praise from notable
figures across various fields.