First two parts of the story are listed below>>?
Part 1>> https://wordpress.com/post/kafkanietworld.wordpress.com/68
Part 2 >> https://wordpress.com/post/kafkanietworld.wordpress.com/72
“All warfare is based on deception. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”
– Sun Tzu (Chinese general and a military startegist).
12 December 1999: 2 AM, Training Camp, Northern Areas (Present Day Gilgit Baltistan)
Husyen Souleimanov, Ruslan Tajik and Farhad Shah were sitting on a huge boulder on the cliff, a short climb down from their camp; overlooking the beautiful snow capped peak of Spantik. During day time, this spot was a heaven on earth, with a view of snow capped peaks of the mighty himalayas, and the beautiful Hunza valley passing through it. In the biting cold of dawn, they would have their hot cup of tea and cigarettes. However at this time, at the darkest hours of the night, it had a deathly presence, only aggravated by the scary howling of moutain breeze.
None of this seemed to bother them, the two bearded fighers in their fur cap. Husyen, an Uzbek and Ruslan, a Tajik were speaking, rather complaining in Russian, a language Farhad didn’t understand. And ofcourse, they did not want him to understand, lest he complains to his Pakistani masters.
Husyen, a veteran fighter, who had spent a decade fighting Russians in Afghanistan, lit up a cigarette and offered one to Ruslan, another veteran who had fought against Russians in Chechnya as well as Afghanistan.
Husyen: This is so insulting eh Ruslan? We are put here in training camp along with these young novices? Do these Pakistanis not know, whom we have fought? The mighty Russians and we won. Now we are being trained to fight the weak and tired Afghan forces? …he spit out in disgust. He had taken affront on this.
Ruslan: You said it Husyen. I have silently taken a vow to avenge this insult. When we enter Afghanistan again, I swear am going to kill atleast one of these trainers who treat us with disrespect.
Husyen (Laughing): You are still the same Ruslan. You and your vows, I think it’s the 100th one by now and you haven’t fulfilled a single one. (Laughing loudly now)
Ruslan (Irritated tone): Don’t laugh, I forgave the earlier ones, but this time I won’t. These people treat us like slaves.
Husyen: But they do pay well, don’t they? We have our families to feed and this helps. So what if we have to train with this new crop of kids, who are in dreamland most of the time. We beat them hands down even at this age, dont we Ruslan?
Both give each other a High-Five and take a deep puff from their cigarettes.
While they were still talking, sitting next to them was Farhad. Just 17 years of age, he was reminiscing about his life in beautiful city of Mingora, in Swat district of Pakistan. He and his friends would play cricket, cycle on the streets, oh and that delicious Shinwari Lamb Karahi at the corner restaurant, to which he would go once a month along with his father and siblings. Also how could he forget the delicious Chapli kebab that his mom used to make. How he wished he could go back home and he felt a pinch. He closed his eyes and started imagining the scenes from his home, his mother is cooking, the plate is set with Kebabs and rice, his father and siblings all surround the plate and pray before they start the delicious meal. Ahh that meat and rice, his mouth started salivating. He felt happy at that moment, and a smile caught hold of his face.
At that precise moment, something from the dark, pierced through back of his head and exited his forehead and his young body dropped dead; he was still carrying that smile.
Ruslan and Husyen spit out their cigarettes and picked up their Kalashnikov’s (AK-47) and started peering at the dark ahead of them, a mount upwards to their camp. Their breaths were frantic. They could not see anything, just sounds of guns firing up at that camp and loud screams. The sound of the bullets was echoing through mountain range in the deathly silence of the night. They rushed towards the camp, but bullets were whizzing past them, it felt like the fighters in the camp were shooting in all directions.
Ruslan shouted to Husyen in Russian, are we surrounded? I don’t see a thing. Husyen shouted back, me neither, I think camp is under attack. That’s when a bullet hit Ruslan on his right hand, and the rifle slipped from his hand. Husyen hurried and helped him to hide behind the boulder, just at the entrance of the camp. Ruslan listen, you are hit said Husyen, you can’t fight like this, you stay here and alert me if you see anyone coming up. Also, handing him his pistol, Husyen said, if you see anyone other than me or our boys, just shoot, don’t think.
Leaving Ruslan, Husyen rushed upwards to the camp, which was half ablaze by now. But something didn’t feel right, running among the scattered bodies, were the few remaining figher’s. They were looking scared, turning around in all the directions trying to find something and shoot. If this had been the new inexperienced boys at the camp, he would have not bothered much, but the fine professional soldiers of the Pakistani army were doing the same. What in the God Almighty’s name is this? he thought.
He had barely finished that thought, when he saw something approaching him in fast pace. Was it something or someone? It appeared like a man, but a man who was ablaze. Or was it? No, No.. it was something else, a fiery blaze in form of a man. Is it the same or different? He was thoroughly confused and scared. What was he seeing?
The fighter in him didn’t wait for an answer, he pulled up his gun in aiming position and started firing at that thing. He fired blindly and his AK47 spewed 30 bullets in few seconds time. When he emptied his magazine, he stopped, and looked ahead of him. He did not refill his magazine, but just started at the blaze, which was now standing right in front of him. Not a single bullet had hit that thing, it was moving in a zig zag form, faster than the bullet he had shot and had dodged every single one. The blaze made a movement, looked like it had a gun which it had picked up, Husyen closed his eyes, he knew his time was over, he started his prayer, when a lightning pierced his forehead.
12 December 1999, 2:05 AM, Jaisalmer Sector, Thar Desert.
It had been 5 minutes, since Maj Alwin was exposed to the phenomenon. He was still in same position since beginning as if he had frozen in time. His facial expression indicated stress.
Dr Buckshey: Dr Sherwin what’s the status?
Dr Sherwin: Something strange is going on, his vitals are indicating elevated hearbeats, and his muscles are stressed and stretched as if he is working out and sprinting at the same time. In short he appears to be fighting.
Dr Buckshey stared at Maj Alwin’s frozen image few meters away on screen and muttered, fascinating.
12 December 1999, 2 AM, Kongka La (India-China border Aksai Chin).
Lt Bahadur Kumar was in a bunker, in a sniping position at Indian Army outpost at hot springs, Ladakh. This barren stretch of land was the Line of Actual Control between India which claimed the land ahead as part of Ladakh and China, which claimed the land as part of Tibet. He loved his Barett Model 98B, even though IMI Galil 7.62 was considered better by his compatriots. During his night sentry duties, his favorite pass time was to aim at the Chinese outpost, just 3 Kms away at Kongka La, from his long range night vision mounted on his Barett. Though the camp was not in range for the rifle, it was in range for night vision goggles and it was good fun to see people in green light; an entertainment for this otherwise boring border.
He had been posted here after 2 years in Kargil. After the action packed two years, he felt as if he came in middle of nowhere and one could not blame him as nothing happened here. Not only him and his fellow soldiers, even the Chinese were bored; just eating, drinking tea and walking the whole day. The only time any little skirmish happened, is when Indian and Chinese official planned to meet either in Delhi or Beijing or somewhere else. That was the time when the Chinese would decide to come to hot springs carrying some red flag and Indian soldiers would do kung fu karate with them and push them back. All this was so childish, he chuckled, and thought if he were to tell this to his family, they would laugh at him.
Shrugging that thought, he again concentrated on the Chinese post. He saw a whiz of light entering the camp. He pulled his head back and rubbed his eyes, thinking some dust entered his eyes. He again peered through the night vision lens, and to his horror, entire camp was glowing and he could see short lightning bursts coming from some tiny dot of light.
He shouted, Major Saab, come quickly see what is happening at the Chinese post.
December 1999, 2:10 AM, Jaisalmer Sector, Thar Desert.
The lead door covering the light came down and Maj Alwin just collapsed on the ground. As the surrounding lead doors opened, a team of army doctors and Dr Buckshey rushed in to rescue Maj Alwin.
Dr Buckshey: How is he?
Doctor: We need to take him for treatment immediately, he possibly is having Vasovagal syncope episode.
Dr Buckshey: What? How?
Doctor: We will find out, now move.
Doctor and his assistants moved Maj Alwin on a stretcher to the infirmary.
2:15 AM – Debriefing : Inside the Sand Dune Room
Dr Joshi: So Gentlemen and Lady ofcourse, what do you think?
Dr Khan: Whatever we witnessed on the screen, did it happen in real? or was it just some dream or his thought in some kind of visual mode? Can we get confirmation?
Dr Nayak: I agree with Khan, unless we know it did happen, it is just some fantasy that we witnessed.
Dr Buckshey: I concur.
Dr Joshi was staring at the screen and smiled a bit.
12 December 1999 2:15 AM – New Delhi, India – Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) Director receives a message, operation successful, confirmation awaited, feelers enroute.
12 December 2:30 AM – Islamabad, Pakistan – Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) – Joint Intelligence North Division. A phone call is received by chief of operations. “Camp 42 destroyed” and call ends.
12 December 2:30 AM – Beijing, China – Ministry of State Security (MSS) – Confidential Communication Division. A Phone call is received by assistant communication director on duty. “Kongka La lost” and call ends.
12 December 5:00 PM – New Delhi, India – Special Briefing – R&AW Headquarters.
Dr Joshi lit up his Navy Cut and inhaled the nicotine laced smoke, comforting his lungs. He was staring at the R&AW Director’s chair and then looked around the room. He loved this room. The old school teak wood furniture, polished so well that you could use it as a mirror; the wall to the right, with it’s priceless collection of historical books, maps and literature. Owl and mug shaped bottles filled with Rum and Scotch and that quaint cigar box next to it. On the desk in front of him were files, pens, a computer and next to it was the Indian constitution and Indian flag. Apart from his work, there were very few things in the world that interested him, and this room was one of them.
At that time, R&AW director entered the room. Dr Joshi stood up and greeted him, and received a stare in response.
Director (lighting up his cigar): You sneaky bastard. What did you do?
Dr Joshi (with most stoic face): What did I do?
Director: For god’s sake Joshi, do I look like a fool?
Dr Joshi: No Sir.
Director: Then tell me how did the incidents occur?
Dr Joshi: Which incidents sir?
Director: Gilgit and Aksai Chin.
Dr Joshi (appearing surprised): Which incidents sir?
Director: Stop the bullshit Joshi. I know you ordered the hits. I also know no one else has the depth of influence to do this apart from you. So tell me, what did you do and why?
Dr Joshi (lightining second Navy Cut): Sir, I thought you called me to ask about status of our experiments with the phenomenon. I am not aware of any incidents you are referring to.
Director (raising his hands as if he is giving up): Joshi, tell me what should I be prepared for?
Dr Joshi: Prepare for thanks from the Afghan government. Taking your leave sir.
Director: Wait! About the phenomenon, what did you want to share?
Dr Joshi: Officially Sir, its a failure and project is closed. Unofficially Sir, complete success, project moves to phase 3.
Director: I need to see the file Joshi.
Dr Joshi: File is at your desk sir. As I said, project is a failure and it’s closed.
Director stared at the file at his desk with pages filled with gibberish and recommendation of project to be closed. That bastard, he sneaked out again, he thought.
Debriefing
13 December 1999, 12:00 Noon, Jaisalmer Sector, Thar Desert.
The mood of the room tensed as soon as Maj Alwin entered. The sentry closed the door and Maj Alwin took seat. He look relaxed and content and appeared to be hiding a smile, complete contrast from the first experience he had with the phenomenon.
He was facing Dr Khan to his left, sitting next to him was Dr Nayak, third seat was empty, but he could see one person standing in the shadow, Dr Joshi he chuckled, how Sherlock Holmesy like and last but not the least, Dr Buckshey.
Dr Buckshey: How are you feeling Major?
Maj Alwin: Ma’am, I have never felt this better. There was elation in his voice.
Dr Buckshey: Elaborate please.
Maj Alwin: Ma’am, I can’t explain it but I feel great, like I have achieved something. And I am feeling strong like I can move a mountain. He clutched his fist and stared at it while he said those words.
Dr Khan (keenly observing Maj Alwin): What happened yesterday major, can you tell us?
Maj Alwin: Sir, I think that thing is a portal, like a gate. When it started I got a strange feeling as if I am passing through something. When I exited the portal, I entered camp 42 inside the enemy territory. He paused and looked at the shadow standing in the background, which Dr Joshi has told me about. And I am sure it was camp 42, because it was exactly like the pictures he had shown me.
Dr Khan: Hmmm, so the camp matched with the pictures that Dr Joshi showed you.
Maj Alwin: Yes Sir.
Dr Khan: And then what happened?
Maj Alwin: Well Sir, my instructions were to engage with the enemy, human or otherwise and so I did.
Dr Khan: I see, did you know how many terrorists were in the camp?
Maj Alwin: Yes Sir, around 50-60 operatives all fully armed.
Dr Khan: And you killed all of them? Alone? How?
Maj Alwin: Sir, surprisingly they were were frozen still or making extremely slow movements. And I mean like slowest of the action replays if I may say so sir. They were such an easy targets that would put dodos to shame.
Dr Khan: Did you miss to kill any terrorist?
Maj Alwin: No Sir, the last one I killed, who almost escaped me was hiding behind a boulder just below the camp.
Dr Nayak: And how did you return?
Maj Alwin: Sir, once I killed all the terrorists, I saw the door opening again.
Dr Nayak: Hold On. Open again? You mean once you exited the gate the first time, it had closed?
Maj Alwin: Yes sir.
Dr Nayak: How much time were you there? Do you know?
Maj Alwin: Operating time was 10 minutes sir, target was achieved.
Dr Nayak: Ok, so you entered the gate again. Then what happened?
Maj Alwin: Sir once, I entered the gate, I again came back to this site. Somehow my head had become heavy, was feeling short of breath and I felt there was no strength left in my legs. I woke up in hospital.
Dr Buckshey: Are you sure you did not go anywhere else? Let’s say like Ladakh?
Maj Alwin: No Ma’am, I only had one target and objective assigned, I returned once I accomplished that.
Room went quite. Dr Khan looked at the figure in the shadow, who slightly nodded.
Dr Khan: Maj Alwin, thank you for your inputs and great work soldier. Dismissed.
Maj Alwin stood up and left the room.
Dr Buckshey chuckled, they would not salute us civilians.
Dr Khan looked that figure in the shadow and said, his accounts of the event are accurate. The camera fitted on his helmet has captured exactly what he shared.
Dr Nayak: But this doesn’t make sense, does it Khan. I mean major doesn’t know that he never went anywhere. He has experienced that he had gone to camp 42, but in reality he never left his base, isn’t it?
Dr Buckshey: Atleast physically.
At that moment the figure in the shadow said, we need to find Dr Joshi. We still don’t know what happened in China. And more importantly, who did that? and why?
15 December: 9 PM, a US Apache helicopter lands in Diego Garcia, the secretive US Naval base in Indian Ocean. An island just 17 square kilometers. But this is that tiny base from which US controlled mighty nations of Asia, Africa and Australia. Helicopter charts its journey back to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was on a journey from Maldives.
Deputy Director Paul Bishop, walked on the deck towards the Helicopter to receive the special man, who was not only a legend in intelligence circles but also extremely vital asset to US interests in the region. That man had just alighted from the chopper and was walking towards him.
Deputy Director: Greetings Dr Joshi, pleasure to have you on board.
Dr Joshi: Pleasure is all mine Paul. (Signaling to the papers in his hand) Hindu Kush is now firmly in your control, hostiles were eliminated before they could enter. Also, to add cherry on top, 10 US operatives have been successfully been extracted from Tibet.
Deputy Director: I was told you are bringing some special news. But not this.
Dr Joshi (With a smile): I know Paul. You need to know how we did it? Isnt it?
Deputy Director: Knowing you, a might price tag is attached to it?
Dr Joshi: let’s talk.
The two men walk towards deputy director’s office on the deck.
15 December 1999, 9:00 PM, New Delhi, India. R&AW Director receives a message, MSS and ISI planning joint operation, Assam and West Bengal. Project compromised.
18 December 1999, 09:15 PM, Jaisalmer, Thar Desert.
Dr Khan: Any news on Joshi? Why isn’t he here?
Dr Nayak: No, last seen near Kanyakumari.
Dr Buckshey: Shit, am sure he knows what’s happening.
The person in the shadow: Am convinced he is the one doing it.
All the other 3 look at the person in disbelief.
In front of them there are reports of attacks on Indian outposts in Kashmir, Ladakh, Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. All 100 soldiers reportedly killed by man like object on fire, with lightning.
Contd in Part 4… The Unknown – Consequences.
Chetan Pai,
18 May 2020,
Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, India.
