‘If a soldier can, why can’t we’: Brigadier Tanwar on saga of discipline, duty and incredible power of storytelling

In this candid conversation, Brigadier Sushil Tanwar opens up about his journey from commanding troops to commanding narratives, the military discipline that fuelled his writing, and his noble mission to share a balanced, human perspective on life in Jammu and Kashmir.

He is not just a serving officer in the Indian Army, having been awarded the prestigious Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for his meritorious service; he is also an acclaimed author whose debut book, Mukhbir (The Informer), has captivated readers nationwide.

He is also a public speaker, having featured on many forums and frequently contributed articles on national security to various reputed journals.

Free Press Kashmir’s Arshid Bashir Akhoon: Sir, you’ve spent your life serving the nation in uniform. What made you pick up the pen and write a book?

Brigadier Sushil Tanwar: I will use a beautiful Urdu Word to answer this. Ittefaq. My literary journey began with a coincidence in 2018 when an Indore-based newspaper, Prajatantra, approached me to write for their Independence Day Edition.

Though I committed to them, I didn’t write a single word, hoping that they, too, would forget.

But they persistently requested me to send a write-up. And that is how my first short story, Hum Kya Chahte Azadi, was published.

Since it received very positive feedback, they approached me again on Women’s Day and Khoob Ladi Mardani Woh Toh was published.

One story led to another, and soon I realised that these stories were not only being appreciated by the readers but I was also deriving joy in narrating our stories.

Honestly, we in uniform are full of many exciting adventures and experiences that need to be shared with the general public.

I also felt that a balanced perspective was missing in the existing narratives about Jammu and Kashmir.

This realisation finally led to compiling these seventeen short stories as a book, Mukhbir.

FPK: Was writing a hidden passion, or did it develop during your military career?

Brigadier Tanwar: As a child, I was a bit academically oriented and contributed articles regularly to the school magazine.

So the interest in writing was probably always there. However, the idea of pursuing it seriously and writing a book was nurtured very recently during my military career.

I would now say that, in a way, writing comes naturally to me, and even in the Army, drafting various kinds of official correspondence is an extremely important part of our service life.

So it all adds up to the writing skills.

FPK: How did your experience in the Army influence your storytelling or the themes in your book?

Brigadier Tanwar: These stories are based on the collective experiences of men and women of our armed forces. The way we interact with the local population in J&K, what we go through on a daily basis, challenges of life in the military and so on.

You could say that these stories are heavily influenced by what we have witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir, the actions of security forces, and most critically, the frank insights that local people share with us.

FPK: What parallels do you see between leading troops on the ground and leading a narrative on paper?

Brigadier Tanwar: Fundamentally, in both roles, you are the person in charge and must take the sole responsibility. As a leader of men, your job is to provide for the well-being of your subordinates and also ensure that the task is achieved.

In writing, too, the author is responsible for the product, or the story, and he must ensure that it is captivating and well accepted by the audience.

However, leadership is a collective mission based on camaraderie, while writing is more of a solitary venture.

But yes, the level of responsibility to achieve excellence or to complete a mission successfully is similar. I would also add that leadership and writing can only be successful if undertaken with complete honesty and integrity.

FPK: Did the discipline from the Army help you in your writing process?

Brigadier Tanwar: Yes, of course. In the Army, we follow a routine and are very particular about the timings.

So when you apply the same military discipline to writing, it can be quite beneficial.

I have realised that discipline and consistency are critical in the process of writing, though frankly, I was not always successful in being very disciplined in my writing.

I am still learning, though.

FPK: What is Mukhbir about, and what message did you hope readers would take away from it?

Brigadier Tanwar: As I said earlier, Mukhbir is a collection of seventeen short stories focused on the relationship between the security forces, especially the intelligence operatives and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

These are human stories, emotional tales written straight from the heart. While my aim to pen them was not to prescribe or preach, I hope readers would realise that there is a need for a balanced perspective that highlights the reality of Kashmir and the close bond between the security forces and the local Kashmiri populace.

FPK: Does Mukhbir reflect any real-life experiences or people that you have encountered in your service?

Brigadier Tanwar: Yes, certainly. The stories draw heavily from our collective experiences. I have also used this opportunity to pay my personal tributes to the people I have met in the Armed Forces and in J&K.

I have based and named a lot of characters on my colleagues, our soldiers and people who have been with me during my time in the Kashmir Valley.

A lot of people have told me that they can identify and relate to the characters and the surroundings, and I think this authenticity is the primary strength of the book.

FPK: How did you balance authenticity with confidentiality, given your background in the Army?

Brigadier Tanwar: It was initially a challenging proposition, and I was very conscious about it. As a serving officer, it was vital to ensure I didn’t reveal any official information.

So I subjected the book to an initial scrutiny by my colleagues and followed an internal review process.

In the end, though, it became a little easier because I was writing human stories and not exploring any operational aspects.

FPK: The title Mukhbir (which means ‘informant’ or ‘spy’) is compelling. Why did you choose it?

Brigadier Tanwar: The title was chosen because the very first story in the book is about an individual who works for the security forces—he is a Mukhbir.

I realise the word carries a lot of stigma in the Kashmir Valley. In a way, this book attempts to change the negativity about this word.

Mukhbir is a literary tribute to the local people who are our real unseen patriots. These people are helping the security forces against the enemy, and their bravery often goes unrecognised by the society.

FPK: Writing a book demands patience and persistence. What was the toughest part of this writing journey for you?

Brigadier Tanwar: The most significant challenge for me was to pursue writing without compromising on my official duties.

From a literary point of view, it was a learning curve for me. Sketching the characters and weaving them into a suitable plot was a constant challenge.

I am happy that I am evolving as a writer, and the more I write, the better I will be. Hopefully.

FPK: How long did it take you to complete Mukhbir, from idea to publication?

Brigadier Tanwar: Mukhbir took me about three and a half years to write. I wrote my first story in 2018, and the book was completed in 2021. It took me some time to edit the draft and find a publisher, but at the end of the day, it all turned out to be a very smooth process, thanks to my friends, especially Colonel Gautam Rajrishi, who pursued this project with Rajpal Publications and helped me in publishing it with them.

FPK: Were there any writing habits or routines you followed that others can learn from?

Brigadier Tanwar: I am not sure if I am qualified enough to advise on writing. But I believe that those who want to write must shed their inhibitions and dive into the process.

Make it a habit. I think reading and travelling also help in making you a better writer. But please start by writing whatever you wish to. It is a good medium to express yourself, and many of us find that it is a stress buster too.

FPK: Your story proves that even someone from a regimented, action-driven background can also be deeply expressive. What does that say about hidden creativity in all of us?

Brigadier Tanwar: Writing is an art and a powerful medium to convey personal emotions and thoughts. Each one of us can certainly be a writer, even though some may lack the vocabulary and skills.

But they can be improved with time and effort. I also believe that writing can be a form of service to the nation.

In my case, it was about ensuring that those stories of bravery and humanity, especially of the local people in J&K who are passionate about the country, are told to a larger audience.

FPK: Finally, if a soldier can write a book, what advice would you offer to young people who want to write but never start? What’s your message to those still waiting to tell their story?

Brigadier Tanwar: My advice is simple: one should not wait for the perfect moment. Do not wait for the right time. Start with a few lines, with a few pages. Be persistent. Enjoy the process. I also urge everyone to read as much as they can.

Books have the ability to change lives and challenge perspectives. And if possible, just start writing your own story.

FPK: Thank you very much for your time, Sir. It was a pleasure talking to you.

Brigadier Tanwar: Thank you very much for this interaction. It was a pleasure talking to you.

Brigadier Sushil Tanwar also confirmed to Free Press Kashmir’s Arshid Bashir that his second book, Farishtey, a story about the experiences of a young military intelligence officer posted in Jammu and Kashmir, will be released in January 2026.