by Laxmi Natraj
Though the tap was air tight still Nakul and Utkarsh could smell the pungent smell of chlorine gas. Both of them pulled their black masks over their faces and Nakul said, “Our men are literarily purging out the rats hiding inside with chlorine gas. Serves them right.”
Within three minutes, the trap door fell open and enemies came out coughing heavily. Still they came out with a full blast of their automatic machine guns. At the same time they hurled hand grenades in all directions blindly. A full-fledged, high pitched battle started from both sides.
Indian commandos also hurled hand grenades along with their blasting fire. Nakul was surprised that there were more than a dozen enemies. They had the advantage of number and they fought fiercely, mercilessly. But Indian commandoes had the advantage of shelter while the enemies were in the open.
As the battle was almost won, and enemy guns were becoming silenced, unexpectedly, another trap door opened from the back side of the trees where our commandos were taking shelter. It was another hiding spot, from which more enemies started hurling hand grenades. Nakul understood that the enemies had made another opening, and trap door for their trench or it was another hiding hole, pre-planned for attacks.
This sudden unexpected origin hurt some Commandos. Once again the battle became fierce. Still the injured soldiers of India kept the fight on and finally nearly after two hours of battle, all the guns of the enemies were silenced.
The commandos came out of their shelter and all of the commandos joined hands and raised a victory cry. Quite unexpectedly, now bullets started raining from the sky and two commandos got injured. As a first precaution all of them ran for shelter again.
Nakul and Utkarsh who were preparing for coming down were shocked equally. Since they were on the top of the trees, they could see the source of fire and the enemy now. They both opened fire simultaneously and blasted the six terrorists who had managed to climb and attack from the trees, and their bodies tumbled down. The whole area became silent. And the eerie silence continued.
Shiva came out of the hide out with his gun still ready. Looking around he was surprised to see the dead body of the enemy fallen from the tree. He wondered who shot this enemy sitting on the tree. He lifted his gun and fired some random shots on the trees.
Nakul and Utkarsh jumped from the far away tree and ran towards Shiva. As Shiva’s gun turned towards them they shouted in unison, “Shiva, don’t shoot. We are your friends.”
As they removed their face masks Shiva first stared at them, unbelievingly for one second, and then shook his head showing his disbelief and said half smiling, “Why am I not surprised? It is my big mistake. I should have tied you two more strongly to the trees.”
Nakul said, “But Shiva, you cannot deny that we also did our part in the fight. We also shot the enemy who was hiding on the top of the tree and who was aiming at you.”
Shiva laughed loud now and said, “Ok Nakul, But thank your stars Nakul, that I did not shoot both of you down by mistake.”
Nakul said, “It is Ok now, so called Purohit Shiva, you could have at least told me that you are a Commando. Then I would not have wasted my time in chasing you.”
Shiva smiled and said, “Ok, here is the introduction now. I am Commando, Major Shivanandan of Indian Army. Glad to meet you Inspector Nakul Kulkarni”.
Nakul said sarcastically, “Shiva, the Purohit! How much you cheated me!”
Shiva said, “I am really sorry Nakul. But I was also doing my duty just like you did your duty. Both of us were actually on the same side of the fence. But our project named “The Treasure Hunt” was highly classified. How could I disclose to you that I am an army commando?”
David came close and smiled sheepishly and extended a hand. Nakul said,“Oh here is the coconut water man.” One by one all the remaining five others, including the lady, who was a cook at Acharyaji’s house, came forward and shook hands with the two police- men.
David said, “Sir, we have to inform the high command.” Shiva nodded and pulled out his cell phone. Moving away from Nakul, he talked to his Army command. As they all relaxed and exchanged stories for five minutes, the two military vans which were already waiting ready outside, entered the jungle. All the dead and injured enemies were packed in one van and the commandos and Nakul and Utkarsh got into the other van. The police men Nakul and Utkarsh were dropped near their parked car on the way to the forest, and the Commandos van took off.
Inside the forest another ten fresh commandos entered the long trench with their gun ready to shoot, to see the final end of the tunnel, and also to see if there was any one still hiding there.
Chapter 65
The Media
1st June 10:30 a.m.
The tiny Lingeshwar village, so far unknown to the world, became famous overnight. Every TV channel and newspaper talked continuously about the Army’s surgical strike in the forest and the successful capture of ten enemies alive. The TV cameras were all around in the village taking photographs of everything available and especially the Lingeshwar temple. Early morning after the surgical strike, a press meeting was arranged. The ACP and the one of the military colonels from the Commandos along with Shiva, Nakul and Utkarsh were present in the meeting.
The version of the real story was modified, to keep the sensitive matter undisclosed. The ACP first spoke and said that the double murder of foreigners left many clues of the presence of the terrorists around the village and the police informed this to the Anti- terrorist squad who passed it on to the Army commandos. The commandos made a surgical strike and took the enemies hiding in the forest, who were planning for an attack, and captured them. The Colonel followed the story by his version of how his commandos, risking their lives caught ten of the terrorists alive and killed twenty five terrorists who were hiding in the forest.
In all these speeches, the underground tunnel and the purpose for which it was being dug by the terrorists were not disclosed. It was kept as a closed secret, for further military investigations and the consecutive military operations purpose.
After the seniors left the meeting, Shiva and Nakul visited Purohitji’s house. Shiva bent down and touched the feet of Purohitji and said, “Purohitji, without your extra ordinary help and all that support, we could not have won this battle. Starting with informing the police about the foreigner and then supporting me, announcing me as your son and all the timely help you gave us in providing us with different hiding places; these were the main reasons for our victory. So I salute you Sir, on behalf our country, as an Individual and as a Jawan of the Indian Army.”
Purohitji put his hand on his head and blessed him. As he got up Purohitji hugged him and said, “What I did was just for our country Shiva. Though you were only acting the part of a son, you really took so much care of me throughout your stay, that I have really become attached to you and feel as if you are my real son. So as and when you get time please do drop in here to see your father.”
Shiva said, “Definitely, the feeling is the same with me. I will come and see you as and when I get some time Purohitji.”
Nakul too shook hands with Purohitji and as they turned, they found Acharyaji standing there, watching all this. Before Shiva could talk anything he stepped forward and held Shiva’s hand and said, “Sir, please, please, forgive me. So many times I had offended you with so many harsh words, hardly knowing that you are one of the great Soldiers of Indian Army and you were here to save our country. I am really ashamed today.”
Shiva smiled broadly and said, “Acharyaji, you are an elder person and should not apologize to me. You were right in your place and I never took any of your comments offensively. Any time I am still Shiva for you and don’t call me Sir.”
Netra was standing just behind her father and now came forwards. She said, “Shiva I am very happy that your project could be completed so successfully. Take care wherever you are going. All my best wishes for all your future projects.”
She and Shiva shook hands warmly and now for once Acharyaji di
d not object. Taking leave from every one, Shiva and Nakul got into the car and started moving away from the village for the last time.
Chapter 66
Shiva and Nakul
3rd June 6:30 p.m.
All three of them were sitting in a coffee shop in the town. Shiva explained all about the background of their planning. He explained how Purohitji played a great part in their plan. Nakul was amazed that a simple Purohit could think so intelligently and meticulously and cooperate with a top secret Army operation. Shiva continued, “We wanted a place for the hide out for our Lady Commando Jennet. Netra was the student of one of my doctor friends and she belonged to the same village. So through him we contacted Netra for help and she willingly agreed. She came to the hospital as a real doctor and our so called doctor was only a front man, just doing the minimum in the hospital. Later Netra kept our Lady Commando Jennet in her house in the pretext of a cook.”
Shiva said, “I had fixed a video camera in John’s room and in the ground floor of the Temple hall to monitor John’s movement. We expected him to make contact with the terrorists or pass information. But he got busy with the school building. We had an eye out for secret contact with intruders, but these men came disguised as construction workers and disappeared in to the forest using that tunnel from the school. We never realized that the construction workers had never left the premises! Nakul, it was your eagle eyes discovered that he was building the underground chambers in school”
“Unfortunately, John’s kindness and humanity had made us almost …friends, but he himself knew nothing about the plans of the terrorists. His job was to arrange for the construction as per given plans and keep supplying rations. I doubt he had any clue that some of the construction men were trained terrorists.” Shiva then briefly described about the murder night, “I followed John to the temple. By then he was very weak and that bag of scriptures he wanted to return was heavy for him. I knew Julia would try to steal the scriptures but Julia attacking him like this, I did not expect. Then when Julia was crossing the limit, I shot her. But her documents, her bag and her shoes ..all evidence had to be cleared. Nothing to lead anyone to start looking around and alert the terrorists that we were on the trail. I collected John’s shoes too as I had fixed bugs inside his shoes and did not want the police to find it. The secrecy of our operation was paramount. That time I didn’t know Nakul was coming!”
“Then, I went back to the temple and finding John in a dying condition helped him to walk back to the door as he said he did not want to die inside the holy temple. As he was half dragging his body the blood dripped through his body and his smeared trousers ends made a patch of blood trail all the way down. I made him sit on the steps and locked the door before leaving. But probably he tried to get up and fell down on the steps and died.”
I reached Purohitji’s house and called Netra to come there. I told both of them about the double murder. Since Purohit was too shaken up Netra suggested that we would sedate him and this way we could avoid police questioning.
Nakul asked, “Was Julia sent by the terrorists to kill John? What happened to John’s family?’
Shiva said, “I presume they would have killed John’s family a long time back and John also perhaps realized that having received no communication from them after he had asked many times. Julia was his partner in his earlier crimes of money laundering and has somehow contacted him. She came to visit John. She was not in the terrorist plan and John thought she would be an ally. But John had forgotten he had turned over a new leaf and turned pious, but Julia was still the old fraudster. That lady acted as if she agreed with him. Thus, John told her about the scriptures and his research. Then she started pestering him for the possession of the scriptures. I knew all this because of the video recording. So John sedated her that night and tried to replace the scriptures so she couldn’t rob them, but she reached the temple. The terrorists used John only for entering the village. Then they did not have any connection with him. He also had categorically refused to buy them any rations afterwards, knowing he had nothing to lose. But he lost his life because of Julia. ”
Nakul said, “But what about the intruder in the night and the one in the bush and the one in my room in the town? What were they doing?”
Shiva smiled sheepishly and said, “I am sorry Nakul. Actually any normal police officer would have closed the case saying that both John and Julia had killed each other as I had left the gun in John’s hand. But you turned out to be a different cop. You started investing more deeply. I was afraid that with you poking your nose, you may start suspecting me. So to keep your attention diverted from me, I had to do some drama.”
Nakul said, “You stealing the goats I could understand; to quickly and discreetly cover video surveillance of the terrorists with unsuspecting goats was a master stroke. But why did you return those and take fresh goats away every time?
Shiva said, “Nakul, goats have a habit of grazing in the same pasture and will not move to a new area. So once a specific area was covered, we returned the goats and took a new set of goats and left them in new places so that they would scan more areas for the terrorists.”
Nakul said, “Then why did you tie us up in the forest?”
Shiva said, “Oh God! How was I to know that you will steal one of our cameras that we kept for surveillance of the terrorist and will barge into the forest right when we were reaching as a part of our final operation? Nakul, you are too naïve and hardly know about the seriousness and violence in the attacks of terrorists. I did not want you two honest innocents to come investigating and get shot by the terrorists. But still, you two incorrigible meddlers did manage to enter the battle field.” He smiled at these fellow patriots and duty driven officers.
As they got up Nakul asked, “What about the tunnel they were digging? Is anything known about their plan?” Shiva said “Army officers were investigating that. We may soon know the result.”
Their meeting ended with a friendly handshake.
Chapter 67
Terror Plan
31st May night (Flashback)
After the commandos and the wounded enemies were moved, a fresh batch of commandos entered the underground tunnel dug by the terrorists. They wanted to check and make sure that the tunnel was totally sanitized and no one was still hiding inside. Secondly, they wanted to find out the final exit point of the tunnel and to gauge what were the final intentions of the terrorists.
With generators blowing fresh air inside the tunnel, eight commandos, with their helmets giving light and holding a thick rope in their hand entered the tunnel. The other end of the rope was tied to a tree and two commandos stood near the rope to receive the signals. They thought that inside the tunnel the cell phone cannot get signals and the rope was kept for communication from both ends. As they moved they found that the tunnel was about 1.5 m in height and 1 metre diameter in width. The ground soil was wet and slushy and there was water logging all over. After a few steps they found four dead bodies of the enemies. Probably they could have stayed back, thinking of hiding for some time and making a surprise attack on the Indian Army. But the gas had killed them all.
Water oozed from the top of the tunnel and the entire tunnel was filled with some pungent, mucky odour. Two of the commandos now stayed back on the spot and others advance ahead. The two of these sent messages by tugging the rope. A fresh rope with a hook was inserted into the tunnel. The commandos lifted the dead bodies one by one by hooking them to the rope which was then pulled by the commandos standing outside. Now the commandos sprayed some antiseptic spray into the tunnel and then joined their friends going ahead.
Though the tunnel was underneath the forest, they found that at regular intervals electric wires were coming down from the roof of the tunnel. The head of the team, Major Balvir Singh, stopped and taking the wires in his hand, examined them as others stood watching.
His junior Ram Singh Thapa asked, “Sir, what are these wires and why are they hung from the roof?” Balvir stoo
d thinking for a few minutes and then said, “Ram Singh, this is for provision of electric connections facility from outside for supply of electricity. They must have used it to connect it to their drilling machines, as digging totally with hand will take much time.”
Ram Singh asked, “Sir, from where did they get the electric connections inside the forest? Then why they did not take wire right from the entrance all along the tunnel?”
Balvir said, “When we go out we have to find if they had some generators hidden in the forest. Secondly, they might not have taken the electric wire right from the entrance, may be because of the water oozing everywhere they may get an electric shock.”
Ram Singh shook his head and said, “Sir if these people had used all this intelligence to improve their own country instead of plotting against us, their country’s poverty could have been improved a long time back”. Balvir nodded and they started moving.
The tunnel twisted in many places and became narrower. Now the Commandos had to move in single file squeezing their bodies. They covered nearly 3 kms distance; then the tunnel came to an end. There were some rolled maps along with the drilling machines, shovels and other odd things piled there. Balvir took out his cell phone to take a picture of the tunnel but to his surprise, he was able to get a signal. He turned back to Ram Singh and said, “Can you believe this? A network under the tunnel? Amazing! How did they manage to get an internet connection inside the belly of a tunnel?”
