At the IGI, they were taken to the airside directly. Inside a hangar, a huge C130 aircraft was being serviced for take-off. As Ankush and Nair looked on at the beehive-like activity around the newly inducted American plane, a bus and a two-ton truck pulled into the hangar. Twenty Black Cat commandos jumped out and lined up for inspection. Another five support-staff members alighted from the truck. While the commandos loaded their equipment, their team leader, Captain Sukhjeet Singh came and shook hands with the two officers. They made small talk, discussing general topics and steering clear of any mention of the mission. While Ankush and Nair had known action in the counter-insurgency affected areas in Kashmir and the restive North East, respectively, the twenty men who they were travelling with were a part of India’s premiere counter-terrorist unit, the NSG. Based out of Manesar, the NSG is a paramilitary unit under the operational command of the home ministry. The NSG’s strength of around ten thousand men is divided between the Special Action Group (SAG) and the Special Rangers Group (SRG). The SAG is the strike arm, with the combatants drawn from the Indian Army. The SRG or the Rangers, as they are known, with members from central police organisations like CRPF, BSF and ITBP support the SAG in isolating target areas. The police-army combination of the force helps create a unique culture which reduces collateral damage during operations while eliciting cooperation from civilian forces in the operation zone, at the same time maintaining the lethality of a military force. Captain Sukhjeet Singh was from the Army. A career specialist in urban warfare, he belonged to 51 SAG. The tall Sikh had had his baptism of fire during his tenure in Kashmir. His SRG counterparts would be officers from national police organisations.
“So you are travelling from Delhi? I thought there was a NSG centre in Mumbai already?” Ankush asked as they awaited take off.
“It’s partly ready and we have a Rangers unit present there. We will connect on ground with them.” He answered as he overlooked the loading of the aircraft. Ankush eyed his M4 carbine enviously.
NSG was established following the 1984 Operation Bluestar. The government had realised that it needed a force which would be able to operate in close-quarter combat in civilian areas, especially urban surroundings with specific anti-terrorist operation competencies. This would also spare the army the bad odour of intervening in politically sensitive operations. The NSG was the counter assault force during 26/11 Mumbai attack. It not only had to neutralise suicidal terrorists but also rescue hundreds of innocent hostages. The C130 took off an hour later. It’s destination: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai.
Prime Minister’s residence
Meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), 13 December: 1400 hours
The NSA, the Defence Minister, Home Minister, top civil servants and the service chiefs were all present. Also present were the Chief Minister and the DGP of Maharashtra along with the Home Minister of the state. They had been flown in secretly earlier in the day to avoid a media circus. Secretary-R was presenting the developments of the case. He went through the details and then took the quorum through the operational details.
“We have identified the locations of both groups and the target. It’s Pune airport. The team is suggesting that we don’t jump the gun by suddenly increasing the security. We have reasons to believe that we may spook the second Fedayeen group whose location now we guess is Mumbai. If we react now, they may go ahead and execute a hurried operation and thus cause some damage and still get the media response they want. We have another twenty-four hours; let us not hurry. We are sure now that the attack is to take place on 16 December, the liberation day of Bangladesh. As we speak, a police team is heading towards the address of the cell phone customer. Alternatively, we may get lucky and get the exact location when the terrorist uses the cell phone again.”
The DGP of Maharashtra also had something to report.
“The crime branch has been investigating the number given to us by the home ministry. It has been bought on fake identity papers. Our investigators are checking out other related lines of investigation. Also we have placed six cars with plain-clothed surveillance specialists from the IB in the Kandivali-Goregaon area. If we are able to track the cell phone signal once the phone is switched on, then the nearest team can quickly identify the building and set-up surveillance until the main force arrives.” The Home Minister nodded his approval.
The Air Chief had a comment. “While I understand your concerns to get these terrorists, we can quietly increase the security of the airbase. I will fly in a team of Garud commando force to the base from Bangalore tonight. They will secure the airfield on the airside and the military installations and be quiet about it. I don’t think we can risk having the militants attack the base.” Secretary-R agreed.
The Prime Minister had a question, “How do you think the terrorists from Bangladesh are going to get to Pune if the date is 16 December?”
Before Secretary-R could reply, the Home Minister looked at his notes−IB had reported to him−and replied, “We believe they plan to fly into Pune on 16th morning by a GoAir flight. IB has been able to isolate five passengers whom they can’t place as per addresses and credit cards used. We are keeping quiet about it. There is a surveillance team from RAW which is tracking the terrorists in Bangladesh; we are getting live voice-feed here from the team. In case they leave the compound, we will have a six-to eight-hour warning. I have been told that that is enough for us to intercept them at our end.”
Secretary-R looked at the file, cleared his throat and added, “Thank you, sir. In fact, we believe that they would have planned to cross the border between 0100 hours and 0400 hours. It is usually the time at which border guards are least alert and the flight is scheduled for 1100 hours so it gives them enough time to reach the airport. We believe that if we are able to track the cell phone used by the Mumbai team, we can coordinate the operations on both locations together. In case we have to launch the Mumbai operation before the Bangladesh strike team crosses over, then we will pass the information on to Dhaka and assist them in neutralising the threat within their borders. I would prefer that we catch them inside Indian territory.”
“How can we be sure that the Bangladesh government will take immediate action? They may let the terrorists go under Pakistani pressure. How can we be sure of their cooperation?”
“The Secretary-R has already spoken to his Bangladeshi counterpart; he has not shared key details, but it seems that their secret service is very interested in one of the photographs we shared. One of the local associates helping the terrorists there is a man named Mehboob and the Bangladesh authorities are very interested in getting their hands on him. IB confirms that he is one of the men suspected of being a part of an assassination team which targeted the Bangladeshi Prime Minister last year. They have been looking for him ever since. If we are able to supply the exact location of this person, they will be very pleased. We also know that a detachment of Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) is on a 24-hour standby at the Jahanabad Cantonment, just in case. So on that account I am sure we will get some help. But that’s the last resort. We want them on our soil,” the NSA explained.
The Bangladeshi SWADS is the equivalent of the US Navy SEALs and the Indian Marine Commandos (MARCOS); the unit has a special anti-terrorist squad trained by the South Korean and US Navy SEALs.
The Prime Minister turned to the Defence Minister and the service chiefs, “Gentlemen, if we don’t stop them, I want the armed forces to prepare for retaliation within twenty-four hours of the attack. We will hurt them and hurt them bad. It’s an election year and I do not want to face the citizens as a weakling. Please activate your Cold Start Doctrine at 2300 hours on 16 December; an illustrious prime minister ended a war on 16 December, we might find ourselves starting one this year.” The tone of his voice brought a level of seriousness seldom seen in these meetings.
He turned to the Defence Minister, “I don’t want you taking forever to deploy your men. I want a hard, fast response. I d
on’t want us baring our teeth and then pulling back, do you understand?”
He was referring to the situation following two earlier terror attacks, following which despite political will to retaliate it had taken Indian forces too long to deploy; long enough for the international community to step in and defuse the situation. The meeting ended with the NSA giving out final instructions to the service and intelligence heads present. Then he gestured quietly to Secretary-R to follow him.
He walked out into the cool Delhi air and put a cigarette between his lips. “The winter is here and it will be hard this year,” he thought to himself.
As he reached for the lighter, he was lightly tapped on his shoulder. “Allow me, sir,” said Secretary-R as he flicked open a lighter and brought it to Nambiar’s cigarette. “We are in control, don’t you worry.” He lit himself a cigarette too. “There is more than meets the eye here,” the NSA said quietly. Secretary-R raised his eyebrow.
“The Pakistanis are using a serving military officer; they must know that whether the attack succeeds or not, we will identify these men. One of them was posted in the US and served with UN. There will be proof even if this fellow dies. There are records with the UN and the US, both accessible to us and the Americans. For God’s sake, he flew into the US and stayed there. There will be American officers in the course who will remember. There will be photos, biometric records and surely something with the UN command too. There is no way they can cover it up. They want this to be traced back to Pakistan. They are looking to divert attention to the eastern border to escape US pressure. They have too much at stake. The politicians are snapping at the army’s heel. The people are disillusioned and are no longer willing to let the army get away with the multiple fiascos. The army has probably decided that the best way to get back in the centre stage is to have India knocking at their doors. That’s all it will take for the civilians to unite behind them. And mind you, whatever the Prime Minister’s emotions, the US will not allow us to have a go at the Pakistanis with their troops still in Afghanistan. I don’t want them to use us for their parochial interests. This operation must succeed, and succeed quietly.”
He put out the cigarette and lit another one. The Army chief came out, lit a cigarette and walked over to NSA. They decided to release orders which would set the wheels in motion for deployment in twenty-four hours. As soon as he left and they were alone again, the NSA continued his conversation with Secretary-R.
“I have given instructions that we will use only the SFF forces for Jungle and Bangladesh border operations. Let NSG handle the Mumbai operation. The Force 1 unit will only give parameter control and mopping up. In fact, the plane with NSG has only the SAG unit. The SRG unit in Mumbai will provide ranger support. In case we capture anyone alive, you will have an ARC aircraft fly them out to Chakrata for interrogation and then neutralise them. Under no condition should the media know. I want you to ensure complete control over this operation. Same goes for the action on the Bangladesh border. If possible, I want to talk to this Major Shezad before he is neutralised.” Secretary-R nodded and walked out towards the waiting car. His first call was to the DG-Security.
Mumbai Police Headquarters, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai, 14 December: 1700 hours
Mumbai, or Bombay as it was earlier known, is a thriving metropolis on the west coast of India. With a population of 12 million citizens, it is the most populous city in India. It is India’s commercial centre and the political capital of the state of Maharashtra. Over the last two decades, it has suffered many large and small terrorist strikes, including the serial bombings in 1993 and the 26/11 attack in 2008. This huge city is policed by a force of 50,000 men. While the head of Maharashtra Police is the boss, Mumbai Police is commanded by a commissioner-rank officer. It was in the Police headquarters that a command set-up had been established. Sanjay had flown in from Delhi. The NSG officers, field officers from RAW and a Mumbai Police officer constituted the action group. The centre was an underground basement with a large operation area with around 20 operators at work stations. One end was dominated by a large electronic map of the city while 90-inch LCD screens transmitted pictures from different CCTV cameras all over the city. The other end of the basement had a conference room and two transparent soundproof booths. “… So that you can take a call without disturbing people on the operation floor,” explained the young IPS officer who was in charge of the command centre. On the electronic map ten green dots glowed. All were in a three-kilometre radius of the last cell phone tower which had picked up the call to a particular number in the United States. The possible area from which the call was made was outlined on the map. The signals from three towers in the area were being patched into the control room. If the particular number began transmitting again, they would know.
SAG Captain Sukhjeet Singh and SRG Combat Commander Assistant commandant Thapa, sat together with F1’s Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Javed Khan and planned the action details. Interoperability codes were worked out. F1 would secure the outermost parameter and isolate the target. They would ensure that no one got in or out of a 200-metre radius of the operation area. They would also ensure that the citizens were safely evacuated out of the ‘box’. As it was the F1 team which would set-up the surveillance, they would also feed in real-time information which would go into final planning.
The Black Cats would secure the building and get the snipers and close in on the target. They would sanitise the area around the target, close all escape routes and stop anything else from getting into the fire zone. They would also make the first contact with the targets and lay down fire if required to keep them engaged. As per special order, no local police or F1 personnel would come into the area. Once the attack began, the SRG were to take over from F1 and ensure that no one got into the immediate operation zone.
The SAG would then close in and hit the target. The SAG men would be deployed as two strike teams of four men each. They had orders to try and take alive anyone identified by the two army officers. Two strike teams would move into the target. One officer would go with each team. One team would be dropped near the operation zone and attack from the ground while the other is inserted in from above the target by a Dhruv helicopter. The Rangers and F1 would move in earlier and call in the two choppers once the area has been secured and any fire from the target suppressed. As they worked out the plan, the Joint Commissioner-Crime walked over.
“The team which was tracing the cell phone number that the home ministry had sent just checked in. They found the address. It’s a dead end as the papers are fake. The number was activated three months back but never used until two weeks back. We found the shopkeeper who sold the SIM card. He is in our custody. Can’t remember a thing,” Sanjay didn’t seem disappointed. He had not had very high expectations from the effort.
“So it’s up to the cell phone tracking then? Let the shopkeeper go. I am sure he knows nothing,” he said to no one in particular. He went into the soundproof glass booth and put a call through to Secretary-R. After discussing the news with him he called DG-Security, “I think the balloon is gonna go up in a few hours. I am leaving for the airfield soon. Has the SFF team left for Bangladesh border?” he enquired.
“It has already landed and they are billeted on a small military cantonment in a school with a makeshift helipad the sappers have created in record time,” answered the DG-Security. They continued to discuss some key points like the NSA’s final instructions to Sanjay at the end of the CCS meeting. Suddenly Sanjay was interrupted by a young policeman knocking urgently on the glass booth. Behind him Sanjay could see sudden action on the floor; even before he opened the door he knew what the cop was about to say.
“The cell phone is transmitting,” he spat out and then ran back to his station. The large electronic map on the wall enlarged further. The team in the conference room also came out and stared at the screen.
“Has the phone just been switched on or is it calling?” he asked the man at the
console. “It’s just switched on, sir,” came the reply. While the technicians tried to close in on the signal, the F1 JCP contacted the surveillance teams and asked them to get into standby positions. The men had strict orders not to create situations for contact with the target.
“Sir, a call has just been connected to the same number in the US. Putting it on the speaker,” a technician yelled from another console.
The room went silent as a quiet voice broke in from the speakers above.
“As Salaamu Alaykum Ammi, everything is fine here.” It was a conversation between a son and his mother. “I hope you are eating fruits… I met this really nice Pakistani girl here. She is a doctor in bhai’s hospital too…” and the conversation went on.
All along the communication, officers tensely rushed from one console to the other. “Khuda Hafeez Ammijaan,” in six minutes, there was a click when the call was over. The communication officer looked up from the console, gave thumbs up and smiled. “We have the location,” he said with quiet pride.
Javed was already passing on the coordinates to his men. He asked for two teams to quickly head towards the coordinates. On the LCD screens, a picture of a modern multi-storied apartment in Thakur village, Kandivali flashed up.
“Good job, guys,” Sanjay congratulated the tech team. He turned to the F1 chief, “How soon can we get there? I want us, Singh and Thapa to get there as soon as your men set-up the nest. Also have the two army officers from the airfield moved to the location immediately,” He sent Secretary-R a single-line SMS, ‘Foxhole Identified’.
He did not know that the same SMS was forwarded to the NSA and the PM almost immediately by a smiling Secretary-R.
Javed disconnected his cell phone and turned to Sanjay, “A team has just reached the location. My men are also pulling out property records and building plans submitted to the municipal corporation. As soon as we have a safe house for surveillance, we will move out. A makeshift helipad inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the easiest way to get there. I will see that it is ready for the operation; we will need it until this mess is cleared.”
Operation ‘Fox-Hunt’ Page 13