A scene from Battle Ops which premieres on Republic Day

Retired General VP Malik was no more than a 22-year-old jawan when he first hit the warfront during the Sino-Indian war of 1962. It was the first time he had set foot in Ladakh, and acclimatised himself to sub-zero temperatures. With a career graph spanning more than 41 years in the Indian Army, including being Army Chief during the Kargil War, he has seen the men and the battlefield transform over decades. Perfect candidate then for reliving landmark chapters in Indian military history on a new show. Premiering on Discovery, it's titled Battle Ops, and takes an in-depth look at rescue operations through archival footage, dramatic reconstructions and first-hand accounts from veterans.