Kashmir Princess (1958): A First-Hand Account of a Forgotten Aviation Tragedy

I recently acquired a fascinating and rare book--Kashmir Princess by A.S. Karnik, published in 1958 by Jaico Publishing House, Bombay (without ISBN number).

The book recounts the tragic mid-air explosion of 11 April 1955 involving an Air-India International Lockheed Constellation (L-749A, VT-DEP). What makes this account especially compelling is that Karnik himself was a Ground Engineer with Air-India International and was on board the aircraft at the time of the incident. His first-hand narrative brings an immediacy and authenticity that is both gripping and deeply unsettling.
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Beyond the dramatic survival story, the circumstances surrounding the explosion add a layer of intrigue and geopolitical complexity, making the event as diabolical as it is historically significant.
While a concise overview of the incident can be found online, this book offers a far richer and more personal perspective. It is certainly a worthwhile read—if you are fortunate enough to find a copy.