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BITING THE BULLET: Memoirs of a Police Officer
Country’s top cop Ajai Raj Sharma’s journey started with policing small towns of Uttar Pradesh, fighting bandits and goons of the notorious Chambal Valley, taking on the responsibility of politically sensitive and communally volatile districts. He was handpicked to lead the Delhi Police Force at a time when India’s capital was in a crisis. He also stood at the helm of the world’s largest border force, which secures India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.In the pages of this searing memoir, readers will be treated with the inside story of the creation of Special Task Force, of the elimination of the dreaded Shri Prakash Shukla, the exposing of the match-fixing scandal, the hunting down of ISI terrorist Ghazi Baba and the dynamic response to the 2001 Parliament attack, amongst many others.Biting the Bullet is a trailblazing account of a life full of tackling dacoits, encounters, shootouts and terror attacks, all the while giving an insight into the mind and heart of this police officer as he makes life-changing decisions.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2019
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129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 12, 2021
There is a pleasant feeling when people who are proficient in their fields share their experiences. There is a lot to know that is useful to us on many important occasions in our lives. The memoir 'Biting the Bullet' of IPS officer Ajai Raj Sharma introduces us to many aspects of the life of a police officer.
During his tenure, Ajai Raj Sharma eliminated many dreaded gangs like Sheodan Kaachi, Jarman Singh, Bhukkal Maula gang, Jagta Kachhi gang. The best thing about him that he handled many difficult situations very smartly.
He trained many criminals to gather intelligence for him and also gave them opportunity to do something good in life.
It is a matter of great pride that skilled, talented and brave police officers like Ajai Raj Sharma have been born in the soil of India.
During his tenure, Ajai Raj Sharma eliminated many dreaded gangs like Sheodan Kaachi, Jarman Singh, Bhukkal Maula gang, Jagta Kachhi gang. The best thing about him that he handled many difficult situations very smartly.
He trained many criminals to gather intelligence for him and also gave them opportunity to do something good in life.
It is a matter of great pride that skilled, talented and brave police officers like Ajai Raj Sharma have been born in the soil of India.
July 22, 2024
Biting the bullet, Memoirs of a Police Officer by Ajai Raj Sharma tells us that an ordinary citizen may think in black or white terms. For policemen, it's more about the grey area where they operate until their superannuation or martyrdom. This book narrates the numerous cases, many involving dacoits. It also dispels the inaccurate glamorous, romanticised perceptions around policing, encounters and the IPS. The tales around the loss of lives, especially of valiant cops, unnamed informants that scarified their own lives to end the havoc wrecked by others. One underlying theme that emerges is the role of trauma and socio-economic oppression that pushes people to turn violent.
During his tenure, Ajai Raj Sharma eliminated many dreaded gangs like Sheodan Kaachi, Jarman Singh, Bhukkal Maula gang, Jagta Kachhi gang. The best thing about him that he handled many difficult situations very smartly.
During his tenure, Ajai Raj Sharma eliminated many dreaded gangs like Sheodan Kaachi, Jarman Singh, Bhukkal Maula gang, Jagta Kachhi gang. The best thing about him that he handled many difficult situations very smartly.
January 31, 2021
Often, books either as memoirs or as autobiographies by former police officers is read with curiosity to get a ringside view. This book narrates the numerous cases, many involving dacoits. This book in a way dispels the inaccurate glamorous, romanticised perceptions around policing, encounters and the IPS. The tales around the loss of lives, especially of valiant cops, unnamed informants that scarified their own lives to end the havoc wrecked by others. One underlying theme that emerges is the role of trauma and socio-economic oppression that pushes people to turn violent.
December 27, 2024
Biting the bullet, Memoirs of a police officer tell us that an ordinary citizen may think in black or white terms, but for police personnel, it's always about the grey area where they operate until their superannuation or martyrdom.
Doctor and Police: These two professions not only possess the power or the ability to save one's life when in danger. But, they are the ones who constantly face the brunt of the society if they proved to be unsuccessful in their work, aren't they?
Although we all know that they can help us in a dire situation. But there lies a hidden fear inside our hearts whether we visit a hospital or a local police station, especially when we visit the latter.
But the majority of us remain unaware of the conditions under which they work or the kind of stress that they have to endure for the safety and the security of the society.
So, let's see what biting the bullet tells us about a man who donned the khaki for almost four decades.
What is Biting the Bullet: Memoirs of a Police Officer?
Biting the Bullet, Memoirs of a Police Officer is the story of Shri Ajai Raj Sharma, his heroic deeds, experiences, and ingenuity while serving as an officer of the prestigious Indian Police Service (IPS).
Mr. Ajai Raj Sharma is the former Commissioner of Police, Delhi. In 2004, he retired as the Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF).
I recommend this book to those people who are preparing for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) civil services examinations. Especially to those candidates who want to become an IPS officer.
In fact, it's an easy-to-read book, and you can finish it easily. A concise memoir by the author.
The beginning—
After qualifying for the prestigious examination of UPSC, Mr. Sharma joined as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It was the time of the mid-1960s, when the Indian National Congress was the ruling party both in the center as well as in the state of UP.
In the initial years of his career, he gained some important experience while dealing with the dacoits (or the bhagis) of the infamous Chambal Valley.
He, along with his team, neutralized several notorious gangsters of the state of UP. In fact, it was the time when there was no social media, no mobile phones.
But, because of his out-of-the-box mindset, he became quite successful while dealing with the notorious criminals of that era.
In fact, he gave his services to several districts of UP. Be it Agra, Banda, Bareilly, Banaras, Farrukhabad, or the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad (now Prayagraj).
In fact, because of the several encounters that he had, the media gave him the sobriquet of 'Dirty Harry.'.
Although he clearly said your intentions and your conscience should be clear while working, especially when you are in the police force.
Shri Prakash Shukla, his audacity and the end—
How will you react when you hear that a gangster has taken a supari (or contract) to kill an incumbent chief minister of a state? Isn't it too audacious even for a gangster to think that?
But, ShriPrakash Shukla, the man who became a force to reckon with in the 1990s of UP, took the contract to kill the then CM of UP, Kalyan Singh.
In fact, prior to that, ShriPrakash Shukla had already killed several MLAs of Bihar and UP. Other than this, he was notorious for kidnappings and other criminal activities.
In a civilized society there is no place for people like these. So, the then CM gave the responsibility to neutralize ShriPrakash Shukla to Ajai Raj Sharma.
The latter made a special task force (STF) for this mission. And it was during the mid-1990s when the then Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, had dismantled the license-permit raj of Indira Gandhi.
So, new international companies and technology also came to India at that time. Especially mobile phones were introduced in India for the first time. And ShriPrakash Shukla purchased a Motorola phone for himself.
Shukla didn't know that mobile phones can be traced too. And the STF under the leadership of Ajai Raj Sharma started monitoring the activities of ShriPrakash.
The opportunity came to their door when they traced the exact location of ShriPrakash Shukla. And in the outskirts of Ghaziabad, a fierce gun battle ensued between the STF and Shri Prakash Shukla. In September 1998, in that encounter, ShriPrakash Shukla was killed along with his partners.
ShriPrakash Shukla was only twenty-five years old. The man who decided to kill a serving CM of an Indian state was neutralized by the UP STF under the leadership of Ajai Raj Sharma.
The BSF and the message -
The Border Security Force (BSF) is the world's largest border-guarding force. As India shares its border with several countries, along with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The role of the BSF became more important, especially when we see smuggling of contraband in and around the border areas.
As the former DG of the BSF, Mr. Sharma said with a heavy heart that even today, the Border Security Force and other paramilitary forces are not treated the same vis-à-vis the Indian Army.
In fact, they are as important as any other security organization in our country. And it would be better for the safety and security of India if the government gave them the same perks and privileges that their counterparts receive.
With this message, let me conclude with this quote of Benjamin Jowett:
There is no limit to the good a man can do if he doesn't care who gets the credit.
I hope you like this. Thanks for reading. Jai Hind.
Doctor and Police: These two professions not only possess the power or the ability to save one's life when in danger. But, they are the ones who constantly face the brunt of the society if they proved to be unsuccessful in their work, aren't they?
Although we all know that they can help us in a dire situation. But there lies a hidden fear inside our hearts whether we visit a hospital or a local police station, especially when we visit the latter.
But the majority of us remain unaware of the conditions under which they work or the kind of stress that they have to endure for the safety and the security of the society.
So, let's see what biting the bullet tells us about a man who donned the khaki for almost four decades.
What is Biting the Bullet: Memoirs of a Police Officer?
Biting the Bullet, Memoirs of a Police Officer is the story of Shri Ajai Raj Sharma, his heroic deeds, experiences, and ingenuity while serving as an officer of the prestigious Indian Police Service (IPS).
Mr. Ajai Raj Sharma is the former Commissioner of Police, Delhi. In 2004, he retired as the Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF).
I recommend this book to those people who are preparing for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) civil services examinations. Especially to those candidates who want to become an IPS officer.
In fact, it's an easy-to-read book, and you can finish it easily. A concise memoir by the author.
The beginning—
After qualifying for the prestigious examination of UPSC, Mr. Sharma joined as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It was the time of the mid-1960s, when the Indian National Congress was the ruling party both in the center as well as in the state of UP.
In the initial years of his career, he gained some important experience while dealing with the dacoits (or the bhagis) of the infamous Chambal Valley.
He, along with his team, neutralized several notorious gangsters of the state of UP. In fact, it was the time when there was no social media, no mobile phones.
But, because of his out-of-the-box mindset, he became quite successful while dealing with the notorious criminals of that era.
In fact, he gave his services to several districts of UP. Be it Agra, Banda, Bareilly, Banaras, Farrukhabad, or the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad (now Prayagraj).
In fact, because of the several encounters that he had, the media gave him the sobriquet of 'Dirty Harry.'.
Although he clearly said your intentions and your conscience should be clear while working, especially when you are in the police force.
Shri Prakash Shukla, his audacity and the end—
How will you react when you hear that a gangster has taken a supari (or contract) to kill an incumbent chief minister of a state? Isn't it too audacious even for a gangster to think that?
But, ShriPrakash Shukla, the man who became a force to reckon with in the 1990s of UP, took the contract to kill the then CM of UP, Kalyan Singh.
In fact, prior to that, ShriPrakash Shukla had already killed several MLAs of Bihar and UP. Other than this, he was notorious for kidnappings and other criminal activities.
In a civilized society there is no place for people like these. So, the then CM gave the responsibility to neutralize ShriPrakash Shukla to Ajai Raj Sharma.
The latter made a special task force (STF) for this mission. And it was during the mid-1990s when the then Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, had dismantled the license-permit raj of Indira Gandhi.
So, new international companies and technology also came to India at that time. Especially mobile phones were introduced in India for the first time. And ShriPrakash Shukla purchased a Motorola phone for himself.
Shukla didn't know that mobile phones can be traced too. And the STF under the leadership of Ajai Raj Sharma started monitoring the activities of ShriPrakash.
The opportunity came to their door when they traced the exact location of ShriPrakash Shukla. And in the outskirts of Ghaziabad, a fierce gun battle ensued between the STF and Shri Prakash Shukla. In September 1998, in that encounter, ShriPrakash Shukla was killed along with his partners.
ShriPrakash Shukla was only twenty-five years old. The man who decided to kill a serving CM of an Indian state was neutralized by the UP STF under the leadership of Ajai Raj Sharma.
The BSF and the message -
The Border Security Force (BSF) is the world's largest border-guarding force. As India shares its border with several countries, along with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The role of the BSF became more important, especially when we see smuggling of contraband in and around the border areas.
As the former DG of the BSF, Mr. Sharma said with a heavy heart that even today, the Border Security Force and other paramilitary forces are not treated the same vis-à-vis the Indian Army.
In fact, they are as important as any other security organization in our country. And it would be better for the safety and security of India if the government gave them the same perks and privileges that their counterparts receive.
With this message, let me conclude with this quote of Benjamin Jowett:
There is no limit to the good a man can do if he doesn't care who gets the credit.
I hope you like this. Thanks for reading. Jai Hind.
March 21, 2020
Good narration
This is a good relaxing book where Mr Sharma passion for policing with a purpose is always felt. Book ends with a very positive feeling. Enjoyed greatly reading this book.
This is a good relaxing book where Mr Sharma passion for policing with a purpose is always felt. Book ends with a very positive feeling. Enjoyed greatly reading this book.
July 8, 2021
an interesting story of an Police officer
The book will be encouraging and useful for people who wants to join force. It is better to achieve wisdom fron other's experience.I really thank author for writing this book and for his service to the nation. I salute him🙏
The book will be encouraging and useful for people who wants to join force. It is better to achieve wisdom fron other's experience.I really thank author for writing this book and for his service to the nation. I salute him🙏
August 21, 2020
Thrilling memoir of a brave and decorated IPS officer. A must read for IPS aspirants!
March 10, 2021
Excellent
I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the book so painstakingly penned by such a decorated and dedicated police officer. I am sure this book would inspire new officers. Bravo!
I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the book so painstakingly penned by such a decorated and dedicated police officer. I am sure this book would inspire new officers. Bravo!
September 5, 2021
read this lice
January 15, 2022
Good read
Nice memoirs to read.. You will get insights of policing. The task, the challenges faced by force on daily basis.
Nice memoirs to read.. You will get insights of policing. The task, the challenges faced by force on daily basis.
December 7, 2025
Pleasantly surprised by this "No nonsense" memoir. Very informative. Really liked it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews