Breaking the silence: A personal journey through terror and hope in Kashmir

The memoir honours the resilience of ordinary people who refuse to let violence define their future.

- ASHIQ MIR

In a land that has witnessed decades of turmoil and uncertainty, stories of ordinary people often remain untold.

It is these unheard voices that Kashmiri author Suhail Saeed Lone seeks to bring to the forefront through his forthcoming book, “Breaking the Silence: The Truth of Terror.”

The book is not a political commentary or a historical account of the Kashmir conflict. Instead, it is a deeply personal narrative that explores the human cost of terrorism, the suffering endured by families, and the resilience of a society striving for peace and stability.

At the heart of the book lies an incident that changed Lone’s life forever. In November 1994, his father was kidnapped allegedly by militants belonging to the banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, leaving the family shattered and uncertain about the future.

For a young Suhail, the episode marked the beginning of a childhood overshadowed by fear and anxiety. He did not understand politics or ideology, but he understood the pain that entered his home when his father was taken away.

The author recalls days filled with unanswered questions, sleepless nights, and the agony of waiting for any news. Every knock on the door brought hope, while every passing day deepened the family’s despair.