I have had the distinct privilege of knowing the author of ‘Caught in the Crossfire’, Brigadier Naseem Akhtar Khan for nearly five decades.
Our association began in the mid-1970s at the School of Armour, Nowshera, where he attended a tactical course under my instructions.
Since those formative years, our professional paths have continued to intersect, each time reinforcing a deep sense of mutual respect.
We reconnected approximately four years ago when the author had already embarked on this ambitious literary endeavour.
At the time, the manuscript bore the working title ‘Inside Khakis’.
It was a privilege to witness the evolution of this deeply researched and powerfully narrated work, culminating in the publication of ‘Caught in the Crossfire: The Inside Story of Pakistan’s Secret Services’.
‘Caught in the Crossfire’ is a bold and authoritative work, written by an officer who spent over three decades embedded in Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishment.
It charts the shifting strategic landscape of South Asia, beginning with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the late 1970s and tracing its impact through to the post-9/11 global realignment.
Drawing from personal experience, the author unveils the clandestine world of espionage, covert operations, and strategic negotiations.
With a clear focus on the South Asian theatre, the book delves into the challenges Pakistan has faced—and continues to face—from regional instability, transnational militancy, and evolving hybrid threats.
What sets this book apart is the clarity of its strategic vision.
It situates Pakistan’s security dynamics within the broader context of international power struggles.
It also examines the shifting contours of global influence and Pakistan’s emerging role in the evolving world order—anchored in credible evidence, logical argumentation, and an unmistakable insider’s insight.
After its successful international debut under the UK’s Pen and Sword Books in August 2024, ‘Caught in the Crossfire’ has received notable attention globally.
It was launched in Dubai and prominently featured at the Emirates Books Festival 2025.
The book has since gained strong traction across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, supported by Amazon’s outreach and Casemate Publishers’ expert distribution in the U. S.Now, the book has returned to its roots.
Reprinted by Vanguard Books, Lahore, ‘Caught in the Crossfire’ is now accessible to Pakistani readers.
Its arrival in local bookstores and libraries marks a homecoming that promises to spark much-needed dialogue around the security challenges Pakistan faces today.
This book is a must-read for policymakers, military professionals, intelligence analysts, and students of history, strategy, and international affairs.
It belongs in every institutional and personal library, and its digital editions offer a valuable and enduring reference for researchers and practitioners alike.
In sum, ‘Caught in the Crossfire’ is more than a memoir or an exposé—it is a meticulously crafted narrative that lifts the veil on the secret wars and shadowy decisions that have shaped Pakistan’s national security posture over decades.
It is a work that commands both respect and reflection.
Biographer and Historian of the Pakistan Armed Forces and ISPR
—The writer is contributing columnist.
