The Captivity Trail

About the Book

India and Pakistan, two nations continue in conflict. Low intensity conflict, militancy and terrorism have a live playground. World security cannot be achieved by declaring "evil triangles" and wars with Islamic nations.

In 1999 after twenty-eight years, Pakistan released a Christian fighter pilot, Brother, a prisoner of the 1971 war. He had tuberculosis - was sure to die. Declared missing feared killed in the war, he returned. The government was surprised and embarrassed. They disbelieved his information about other prisoners at secret camps. Brother was devastated. Suspected of desertion, terminally sick he was allowed to go home. He survived with a mother's care.

Azad Khan an Indian Muslim soldier who fought against Islamic Pakistan was Brother's best friend in Captivity. In prison Azad learns about the anti-Muslim Godhra ethnic riots from a Pakistani daily. Desperate, he becomes an anti Hindu terrorist - his only option to escape camp and return to his family.

Brother's mission - Find the families of his fellow prisoners of war.

He traces Ruhaina, Azad's wife with an adult son Basheer. They were Muslims attacked by a mob during the Godhra riots. True and patriotic Indian Muslims, they do not understand the ethnic hate but forgive.

Brother finds Radhika, prisoner Ganguly's wife thrown out by her in-laws. She moved on and is in love with Prasanjit, her rich employer. Brother brings upsetting news of her missing husband.

Capt. Tapashi - Forgotten prisoner Col. Sunderam's daughter is located by Brother. Undeterred, she has joined the Army. Mother and daughter have survived and cannot believe Brother's news about Sunderam in a secret camp.

Brother faces his trial. Azad's death provides clues of Indian prisoners.

An exonerated Brother hopes to restart a life of freedom with the widow of his colleague who was dead but declared "missing". She was his only support searching for freedom.

About the Author

Ronny Arjun Das took early retirement after thirty years. He is a Commended by the Chief of Air staff fighter pilot of the Indian Air force. Holds a Masters in Military Sciences. Experienced in the conflicts between India and Pakistan he feels that the women of nations in conflict suffer the most. He writes his first novel about worldwide ethnic strife, plight of women survivors and the mental agony of prisoners that only mocks the Geneva convention and common heritage of India and Pakistan.