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[Following is a volunteer review of "Border Post 99" by Kedar Patankar.]

Border Post 99: No Man’s Land is an amalgam of war narrative and historical realities which is written by Kedar Patankar. The pretty remarkable one-chapter novelette was published by Global Mind Publishing in 2015. It is based on the post-independence fallout of the 1947 partitioning of what was then known as British India into two new independent countries, India and Pakistan.

This engaging book starts in March, 2011, when two military officers from India and Pakistan, Lieutenant Mangesh Sharma and Captain Abid Khan, are illegally posted to patrol No Man’s Land. The area is an unmapped strip of land along the Indian-Pakistani border which does not belong to any of the two countries. Unlike Lieutenant Sharma, who is a freshly commissioned officer on his first assignment, Captain Khan is an experienced combatant who has served for nine years in locales such as the Afghanistan border, Kashmir, deserts, jungles and mountain peaks. Initially, each of the soldiers believes he is alone in the quiet dense pine forest of No Man’s Land. However, their chance meeting at the stream would change the peace and quiet they had hitherto enjoyed in this jungle.

Interestingly, the rival soldiers have strict orders from their commanding officers not to use fire arms since high-level peace negotiations are going on between the two countries in Delhi. But, whilst Sharma falls ill and lies unconscious in a feverish state by the stream, Khan tactlessly displays acts of aggression against him. Subsequently, the war between India and Pakistan becomes a personal war between Sharma and Khan. In their blinding rage they give free reign to what I dub “hatred by proxy”, as they engage in verbal attacks which often border on the hilarious.

Eventually, through the use of horrifying booby traps, Lieutenant Shamar and Captain Khan resort to life-threatening attacks and counter attacks. The bitterness which the new nations have against each other is discerned in the manner these rival officers react to each other. For instance, while Sharma calls Khan “bloody Pakistani”, Khan calls him “bloody Indian”. However, as the conflict between them intensifies, Khan makes a discovery in his foray of the Indian camp which would affect him profoundly. This finding becomes a turning point in their relationship. Ultimately, for Sharma and Khan, No Man’s Land becomes a place of sentinel, ego trip, revenge, revelation and reflection.

I like how the author presents the parallel strands in the arguments of the warring factions through the characters of Lieutenant Shamar and Captain Khan. These arguments manifest in their internal monologues and correspondence with their families. I was initially drawn to the character of Sharma because my nephew just got commissioned as an army officer and awaits his first military posting. Thus, my new interest in the theme of armed conflict evolved because of my nephew. However, my emotions keep vacillating between the rival officers as my reading progresses. I could not determine the “aggressor-country” since my emotional connection with both characters continues to deepen. Obviously, this technique is employed to show the futility of the Indian-Pakistani hostilities. But, one of the things I do not like and was unprepared for, is the book’s abrupt ending - in a typical military style. Perhaps, this is also intended to leave gaps which readers must interpret and fill for themselves.

I rate Border Post 99 4 out of 4 stars because it is free of errors. Also, judging from its simple clear delivery, there is no doubt that Kedar Patankar is a scrupulous writer. I feel engulfed in his fascinating depiction of the topography of No Man’s Land. I think the book is very interesting and will provide a good read for anyone who is interested in narratives of military operations, border disputes, history and politics. Moreover, its themes of wanton hatred, prejudice, revenge and absurdity of war are significant for countries which are either in the process of civil wars or already embroiled in boundary disputes.

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Border Post 99
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Like KlareAllison's review? Post a comment saying so!

War narratives aren't really my cup of tea, but I am glad you enjoyed the book. Nice review!

Really good review,

gali wrote:War narratives aren't really my cup of tea, but I am glad you enjoyed the book. Nice review!

Thanks so much, Gali, for reading and commenting. I enjoyed the book! Incidentally, my interest in war narratives is just something very recent.

I read this book too. I recommend it to anyone who likes good stories. I totally agree with your rating. In fact, I gave it the same score. However, I do not think the book ended abruptly. I saw it coming. Anyways, I enjoyed reading your review!

Kalin Adi wrote:I read this book too. I recommend it to anyone who likes good stories. I totally agree with your rating. In fact, I gave it the same score. However, I do not think the book ended abruptly. I saw it coming. Anyways, I enjoyed reading your review!

Thanks for reading my review, Kalin Adi. I also appreciate your comments. It's good yo know you have read Border Post 99, will stop by and check it out.

Since both reviewers have indicated that they found each of the main characters to be sympathetic figures, I conclude the author did a good job of character development. Most of us are a combination of light and shadow, so I appreciate it when an author writes their characters to be realistic as well.

Spirit Wandering wrote:Since both reviewers have indicated that they found each of the main characters to be sympathetic figures, I conclude the author did a good job of character development. Most of us are a combination of light and shadow, so I appreciate it when an author writes their characters to be realistic as well.

Thanks, Spirit Wandering, for your comments. Yes, it's really enriching to read books with realistic characters. I agree this author did a good job of it

Great review, I am born and bred army brat and war narratives have always been part of my life. I enjoyed reading your review and all the best to your nephew. I've also served and my first posting was quite a challenge.

juliusotinyo wrote:Great review, I am born and bred army brat and war narratives have always been part of my life. I enjoyed reading your review and all the best to your nephew. I've also served and my first posting was quite a challenge.

Wow! Interesting! You served? Bravo, juliusotinyo! Thanks for reading my review and for your kind comments. Also, thanks for extending kind wishes to my nephew, Michael. I really appreciate.

This sounds like a fascinating book, and something my dad would really enjoy. I will have to steer him towards it (he reads even more than me!!) good review

Kat Berg wrote:This sounds like a fascinating book, and something my dad would really enjoy. I will have to steer him towards it (he reads even more than me!!) good review

Yes, Kat Berg! I found the book indeed fascinating. Thanks for stopping by and reading my review. And oh, it's interesting to know your dad is an avid reader, like mine.

I enjoyed your point about how the author paralleled the arguments between India and Pakistan through the two soldiers, I failed to note that when I read this book but you are completely correct! I thoroughly enjoyed your review.

Kelebogile Mbangi wrote:I enjoyed your point about how the author paralleled the arguments between India and Pakistan through the two soldiers, I failed to note that when I read this book but you are completely correct! I thoroughly enjoyed your review.

Hi, Kelebogile Mbangi! I appreciate your kind comments on my review. Reading individual reviewers' different perspectives on a particular text is one of the things I enjoy in this community. I'll definitely check out your Border Post 99 review!

Good review makes me eager to read it