by David Singh
The man, keeping his image of an elusive shadow, took leave as abruptly as he had appeared out of darkness. Bhanu Majumdar was like that. Malwanker never knew that lady luck would be so generous. If he had had any idea of Majumdar's appearance on the very first day of the training camp, he would have managed to transmit the whereabouts of the camp to his men. But, then disturbing question struck his mind: Would they have arrested Majumdar or killed him?
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CHAPTER TEN
Wednesday December 11, 2013
New Delhi
'Thanks to the political instability and a score of political parties
of all sizes and intentions, Nepal is still under Maoist's control.' First Secretary to National Security Advisor was saying, 'we have information that Nissar Malik has some liaison, or he is trying to cultivate one, with Naxal forces here in India. That's why Nepal's radical leaders are sympathetic to ISI's endeavours in India and are cooperating with ISI to let them take Nissar back to Pakistan.'
It was a chilling morning of second week of the month. Behind the closed doors were sitting three men in the conference room. The tall, stout man in his early sixties with thick white hair and a flourish of white moustache was the First Secretary to National Security Advisor - Joint Intelligence Committee. Intelligence gleaned from all the intelligence agencies of India is analysed by JIC which has its independent cabinet secretariat.
The other one with a big, handsome, clean shaven face on a physically intimidating fit body of fifty five was Director General, Security in Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) – the primary external intelligence agency of the country. Heads of Aviation Research Centre and Special Services Bureau reported directly to him.
Both, the secretary and DG were sitting on either side of the huge mahogany table. On the interior end of the table was sitting Retired Colonel Vir Bhadra Singh - chief handler of Elite 5.
'Then why did they capture Nissar at all while infiltrating India?' Vir Bhadra Singh asked.
'First they had no idea as to whom they have caught entering
Birganj at Bihar-Nepal border. They were looking for gold and drugs
smugglers and got Nissar instead. When his true identity was revealed
and – thanks to our people's laxity – when ISI very timely and
promptly intervened then Nepal decided to comply with Pakistan.
And now they have planned to stage a jail break to let Nissar go with
ISI. News will be out that some smugglers have escaped. Media and
people don't know that it's Nissar Malik in Central Jail of
Kathmandu.' replied DG Kaushik.
'I have gone through the file gentlemen. There is no time and
that's no occasion to negotiate with Prachand and Bhattrai.' Vir
Bhadra Singh said.
Kaushik added, 'our men in Nepal have confirmed that coming
Thursday, exactly next week from today, they plan to take Nissar
Malik to Pakistan via Friendship Highway. Pakistan embassy and
Nepal embassy in Lhasa - Tibet's capital – are making all
arrangements. We suspect that China is also supporting Pakistan
quietly by looking away in another direction thus ignoring ISI's
intended mischief but we have no proof. From Lhasa, further they
will enter Pakistan using Karakoram highway. '
About 950 KMs long Friendship Highway lies between Nepal's
capital Kathmandu and Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region
under People's Republic of China (PRC).
As the highest paved road in the world at more than 15000 feet
elevation, Karakoram highway is composed of China's National
Highway G314 and Pakistan's N-35 highway.
'Next Thursday means we have a very close deadline to get our hands on Nissar. With ISI already in position has just worsened the
entire situation.' First Secretary to NSA voiced his concern. 'By coming Thursday Malik will be singing in front of us.' Vir
Bhadra Singh smiled, 'E Five Five, at this moment, is already in Nepal
with Bandicoot, gentlemen.'
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Kathmandu, Nepal
'Our contact in Central Jail is Jheengur.' Bandicoot said. The meeting was going on in the secret basement of an old,
nondescript, single story building behind Taleju temple in Darbar
Square. It was one of the safe houses of RAW in Kathmandu. Donning a long, fake pony tail and beard over an expressionless,
wall-flat face and eyes with a disinterested look, E Five Five (Elite 5-5),
sitting across the centre table, didn't seem to be bothered in the least
by the pungent smoke suspended in the heavy air. The source of
smoke was the Charminar filter hanging precariously between
Bandicoot's lips. Another young man, sitting on the left, was
seemingly habitual of the smoke.
Bandicoot, real name, Anwar Ahmed Khan, equipped with
various skills to conduct intelligence operations and use of espionage
technology, was a seasoned senior field officer of Pakistan Desk in
Special Services Bureau in RAW. The young man, Diwakar, was on
Anwar's team.
Anwar continued. 'Jail admin has outsourced the cleaning on
contract. Jheengur works for the contractor. His actual source of
income is from supplying myriad of stuff to the prisoners in return of
advance payment. Admin block workers are involved. Through
Jheengur we have arranged for some cigarettes to reach a particular
prisoner. Tobacco is fortified with a drug powerful enough to make the unsuspecting guy severely ill. In such an emergency, jail admin calls up Civil Hospital for expert medical help. We will intercept the medical team and you will enter the jail as doctor's assistant with all
your weapons concealed inside the medical kit.'
'What about metal detectors and personal search?' E Five Five
asked.
'No one bothers searching the medical team.' Diwakar assured
then added. 'On the western end of the jail, an SUV will be waiting,
keys in ignition, for your escape. Extracting Malik and bringing him
here in SUV will be up to you. We'll, then, arrange for Malik's
smuggle to India.'
'This file,' Anwar pointed at the blue file resting on the table top,
'contains detailed layout of Central Jail's premises, basement and
perimeter along with the security arrangements in Prison block,
Admin block, Residents' block and Control block.'
E Five Five nodded but said nothing.
'Jheengur has told us that inside the jail no one is allowed near
Nissar Malik and his location is changed cell to cell every second day.
Besides, a select set of specially trained soldiers are deputed on him.
It's impossible to tell to which cell he will be shifted next.' 'How do they plan to take Nissar away?'
'They will fetch Nissar from central jail on Thursday at midnight
sharp. A blast will blow away the western part of the jail which is
actually the wall of the dispensary. On that side a new block is being
constructed for women prisoners. The area is less secured. Jail admin
will report that Nissar – the gold smuggler – was not well and was
brought in the dispensary for checkup. His pals bailed him out by
blowing through the dispensary. Neat and safe. They will keep Nissar
in Star Hospital, ten minutes away from jail at Sanepa Ring Road,
Chowk, near the banks of river Bagmati.'
'Hospital? Such an unsecured place?'
'It is not unsecured.' Anwar smiled. 'The basement of the hospital
is ISI's one of the safe houses. They all are posing as Indian residents
visiting Tibet. They have hired Himalayan Pride Tours Private
Limited's vehicle and driver cum guide. They have all the IDs and
papers in place which will help them pass through all the checks and
blocks like other innocent tourists. Besides, ISI must have arranged
for Malik's smooth travel, no questions asked, all the way across. If
Malik gets to Star Hospital, we may never see him again.'
E Five Five nodded.
'Anything else you need to know?'
'I'll get back to you once I go through this file.' E Five Five picked
up the blue file and suddenly stood up.
'Where should we find you?' Anwar asked.
'No need. I'll get back to you.'
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
Thursday December 12, 2013
'This is the complete path map of Central jail's roof top flood lights which I was mapping last night.' 'How could you manage…..' Anwar, as a very rare gesture, dropped Charminar in the ash tray out of surprise.
'The roof top of Satellite Service Directorate, the building opposite Central Jail, is taller than the jail itself.' E Five Five explained. 'As I had expected, flood lights have a pre-set movement pattern. There are still certain dark areas however. I have marked those dark areas and mapped them with the timing of the flood lights' sweeping movements. It is possible to move along this time map, across entire roof top avoiding all the lights. I have scaled three feet to one step. On the map, one inch is scaled to three feet.'
Anwar bent over the map and consulted it for a while then he pulled out his right hand's index and middle finger, to place them vertically over the map, emulating a pair of legs.
Anwar walked the fingers five steps over the map. Then he took a left and stepped forward thrice, followed by another seven steps to the right and said. 'I have reached over the connecting pathway between Admin block and Residential block. Central light beam is falling into the courtyard and the other four are illuminating the security perimeter around the jail premises.'
E Five Five surprised him a bit more. 'I remember the map, if you wish you can keep it.'
'But there is still one big problem here.'
'Good observation. Every forty minutes, seven times, all the five beams fall over the entire roof top.' 'Right, and if I my guess is correct then they must stay in this position for a while. No?'
'Yeah, for good three seconds. Enough for anyone to see me.'
'So…what have you thought about that?'
'I have noticed that when all the five light beams illuminate entire roof top then one can easily hang down the roof, towards outside, clasping the rough boundary wall around. This is happening after every three-four minutes. That means, every three-four minutes I must reach the boundary wall and hang off on the outer side avoiding the lights.'
Anwar consulted the map again and said. 'I see. That's why, when I was moving my hand over here, the movement path touched the boundary wall twice. Excellent. But….'
'But?'
'I wonder, why such a complicated and risky procedure to break in?'
'Roof top and entire basement have no surveillance cameras.'
Anwar, impressed, said nothing.
E Five Five looked at the wall clock. 'I will not wait till next Wednesday.'
'Then?'
'Can your Jheengur pull the cigarette stunt tomorrow?'
'Sure.'
'Your men will intercept the medical team from Civil Hospital on
THE CRIMSON CONSPIRACY 89
their way to the jail. They will hold the medical team for ten minutes somewhere and then will let them go unharmed.'
'Unharmed. And you?'
'I will already be inside the jail by then.' E Five Five stood up. 'Now I need to get myself some job.'
He left a nonplussed Anwar behind.
? 'With this much amount you can start your own tea stall back home, Birju ...and'
Birju looked at the wad of notes on the table and then at the strange looking bearded fellow with spectacles and funny looking pony tail. He was one of the labourers working in the construction crew deployed at the site behind the dispensary where Central jail's women's block was under construction. After completing his shift at 5 PM, he came out on the road to grab some tea when this stranger met him. They were sitting in a restaurant, a stone's throw away from Central jail at Kantipath Road. After some small talk, the stranger had taken out the money while coming to the point.
'Why are you doing this?' Birju looked at the thick wad of notes resting on the table between them …and why me?'
'This money, I am offering you, is to take your job and to ensure that I don't have to answer any questions Birju.' E Five Five replied.
'Take my job?'
'Yeah. Tomorrow you'll fall ill, unable to report to work. You'll call your contractor or handler whosoever he is, and tell him that doctor has recommended long rest and medication but, to save inconvenience, you are sending your good and needy friend – me – in your place to do the work for far less than what you are getting.'
'You mean, I get you my job and in return of it you are offering me this sum of money which I can't earn with my current job in entire life?'
'Exactly. Tomorrow evening you leave for border town. Then Nepalganj, Lakhimpur and finally Rampur, your home, and start Birju Tea Stall.' E Five Five smiled.
'This is something dirty man!' Birju said gingerly, 'something which doesn't seem like what it actually is. Who are you?'
'See Birju, its simple. You have entered Nepal illegally. I know this business. Your contractor has got your ID made. You make him frown once and you are a jobless illegal immigrant here. That is one reason you work for a bird-shit wage for him. This money will change your life. No one will ask any questions from you. The only dirty thing in this is when you will say no to this offer…' E Five Five deliberately left the sentence hanging.
'Hmm…what if I say no or disappear with this money?'
'Yes my dear friend you can but next morning you will be found in two places.' E Five Five's calm voice turned into an ice cold husky whisper, 'your mutilated body blocking a dirty drain and your severed head another. Death horrible than that of a stray dog.'
The ice in E Five Five's smile ran down Birju's spine like a chill.
'When should I call the contractor?' Finally Birju talked business, pulling the wad of notes to himself.
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CHAPTER TWELVE
Friday December 13, 2013
Govardhan Pradhan, the contractor in charge of the construction, scrutinised the strong but haggard looking young man with a crawling gaze from toe to head.
Pony tail gone, E Five Five, in a dirty tee shirt and a torn jeans, gave him an earnest look with a hopeful silent plea on his face.
'How do you know Birju?' The contractor croaked.
'We both are from Rampur, saheb. He promised me to help me get work, any work, here. I came yesterday only. Right now I am staying with him at…..'
'Birju was saying, you will do whatever I ask you to?'
'Anything sahib, any work.' Came the pleading reply, 'any reasonable wages sir. But…'
'But what?'
'I have no ID.'
'Who does? Don't worry. That I'll arrange. Hundred will do?'
'Hundred?'
'Hundred rupees a day, you cheese head!'
'Hundred! Fine with me. Tell me what do I have to do?'
Pradhan beaconed the supervisor. 'Chhetri, show him the work.'
Chhetri signaled him to come along. He thanked Pradhan and followed Chhetri.
'What's your name?'
'Kanhaiyya.'
'Kanhaiyya, today our trucks are bringing construction material in bulk. You see that huge temporary shed there?' Chhetri pointed towards the outer wall of jail's kitchen.
'Yes.'
'You will unload the sacks of cement in there. Go to that shed. You will find Billey and Sarauta there. They will also be wi
th you. Now get going.'
'Right away saheb.' E Five Five almost chuckled then moved towards the shed, seemingly carefree but registering the positions of four guards. One was sitting on an armless chair at the threshold of a small make shift gate and main road along with a helper to operate the barrier deployed there to check the trucks moving in with load of construction material and leaving empty. The other two guards were strolling on the roof top of the kitchen, keeping a watch over the construction in progress down in front. The fourth guard was strolling around the construction area keeping a random watch.
Construction undergoing for the women's block on the western side of the jail had been a routine for past several days. Trucks bringing construction material, labourers arriving in the morning for work and leaving in the evening, lunch break, dust and thin cement flying everywhere in the air and noise of machines were the part of the routine that has made the security go slack. Another reason was that the construction site was off from the man jail premises. It was the area adjacent to jail's kitchen and it was not a security sensitive area. Constant movement of labourers and vehicles had made the place of least concern for any jail breaks since prisoner block was right at the opposite side of the site.
Kanhaiyya – E Five Five – happy that no one had bothered to check his small, dirty bag and crumpled metal tiffin box, moved on to find Billey and Sarauta.
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10:45 PM
Inside the jail, in Admin block, adjacent to the kitchen, stood dispensary and mess hall. The area between the mess hall and kitchen had a huge counter to serve food to the prison mates. Kitchen opened into the mess hall through two large doors. Next to mess hall was dispensary. To enter the dispensary one had to cross the outer corridor with CCTV cams installed on either of its ends. On the far end of the kitchen, opposite to the mess hall, was a door with stairs going down to the freezer and further to the basement.