Adhithya Sakthivel

Action Thriller Classics Drama

4  

Adhithya Sakthivel

Action Thriller Classics Drama

AGENT: CHAPTER 3

AGENT: CHAPTER 3

20 mins
337





Note: This story is a sequel to the spy-thriller story Agent: Chapter 2 and the last installment of the trilogy 2016 Pathankot Attacks, 2019 Pulvama attack, and 2019 Balakot Airstrike are part of this story.

FEW MONTHS LATER:

APRIL 2014:

Visvajith and his wife Raghavarshini goes to Kashmir along with their one-year old daughter Anshika. He had been in his homeland for the past six months, frequently with binoculars and snipers. Concerned about his life and confused with his activities, Raghavarshini asked to Visvajith: “Visvajith. Tell me the truth. Why have we came to Kashmir now?”

Vishvajith feels hesitant to open up and instead tells her: “Darling. Please understand. It’s a secretly planned Mission by our RAW Agent specialists.” She gets angry and goes to her room. While, Visva recalls the aftermath of meeting Irfan in the prison.

FEW DAYS BEFORE:

FARIDABAD:

After Irfan killed himself, Visvajith went to meet Aravinth’s friend Ahmed Azad, who had worked as Major General in Indian Army during the 1990’s. Meeting him, they asked about Ibrahim Ahmed’s identity, which he refuses to open up, citing as Indian Army’s secret. When they said about the seriousness and the problem behind it, Azad agrees to open up.

“Ibrahim’s original name is Muhammad Ibrahim Ahmed Alvi. He is a racial Islamist and terrorist. Leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, active mainly in the Pakistani administered portion of the Kashmir region. He was among the list of international terrorist by United Nations Security Council. In early 1994, Ahmed travelled to Srinagar under a fake identity, to ease tensions between Harkat-ul-Ansar’s feuding factions of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Our army arrested him in February from Khanabal near Anantnag and imprisoned him for his terrorist activities with the groups. On being arrested, he said: “Soldiers of Islam have come from 12 countries to liberate Kashmir. We will answer your carbines with rocket launchers.” In July 1995, six foreign tourists were kidnapped in Jammu and Kashmir. The kidnappers, referring themselves as Al Faran, included the release of Ibrahim Ahmed among their demands. One of the hostages managed to escape whilst another was found in a decapitated state in August. The others were never seen or heard from since 1995.”

“Sir. Have anyone interrogated about Ibrahim Ahmed’s current location?”

Thinking for a while, Azad said: “FBI had interrogated Ahmed multiple times during his jail stay on the locus of the kidnappings. He didn’t answer for it. After he escaped, we don’t know where he resides and continued terrorism activities.”

Aravinth and Visvajith came back to the RAW Agent office of New Delhi. There, Aravinth regretted saying: “Visvajith. This is a very serious issue. If we doesn’t take any action, then we have to lose the region of Kashmir.”

Visvajith however consoles him and says: “Sir. Believe me. Kashmir is ours. Whoever be it Azar or Ahmed, no one can conquer our land. I will take their organization out at once and for all.” Aravinth grants him permission to carry out the mission and they name this operation as, “Mission Kashmir.”

Aravinth forms a secret team for this mission that includes: Abdul Malik(GPS coordinator), Roshan(Undercover Agent in Ibrahim’s gang) and Raghavendran(Investigator) and Prem(Another spy to inform them). Roshan completely shaves his moustache and grows up big beard, posing himself as a Muslim to join Ibrahim’s gang under the guise of Muhammad Samsuddin, a young Muslim from Mumbai.

PRESENT:

Since joining, Roshan had been giving information about terrorism training and other problems in Balakot, where Ibrahim’s organizations are running. Though joining the gang, he have never seen the face of Ibrahim Ahmed. Since, he is hiding in Karachi Port.

The last he have spoke is these lines: “I have come here because this is my duty to tell you that Muslims should not rest in peace until we have destroyed India” vowing to liberate the Kashmir region from Indian rule. The public address was to an estimated 10,000 people in Karachi.

“Sorry Raghavarshini. I can understand your agony. But, duty is important to me. I am sorry.” He kissed her forehead and leaves for New Delhi, leaving a note to her: “I love you.” The next day, she sees the note and feels concerned.

NEW DELHI MANSION HOUSE:

Meanwhile, Aravinth meets Visvajith at New Delhi Mansion house as planned. There Aravinth asked him: “How far the mission had been going Visvajith?”

“Sir. Everything is good. Roshan is keeping the information up to date. As per our analysis, Ibrahim have planned for a two dreaded attacks in our country. We exactly don’t know when and where he is going to execute this.”

The same time, he sees the newspaper depicting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Deshmukh has been contesting for Prime Minister post. Going to Aravinth, he asked: “Who is he sir?”

Aravinth replied: “Gujarat Chief Minister, Visva. He was very popular in that state. Was an active member of RSS and the present president of Indian National Party. As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra brought numerous welfare activities. But, was forced to resign at April 2002 after 2002 Gujarat Riots. He brought in several economic development and funded development projects. Now, he have lots of respects from North Indian states. They are expecting him to become Prime Minister of India.”

Visvajith was further happier, when he heard about their promise to cancel Kashmir special constitution and Article 370.

26 MAY 2014:

After the Indian National Party led National Democratic Alliance won a landslide in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Narendra Deshmukh was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India on 26 May 2014. He became the first Prime Minister born after India’s independence from the British Empire in 1947. After abolishing the Planning Commission by replacing it with NITI Aayog, the government launched investigations against various terrorism organizations that are against India. The RAW Agency, led by Aravinth, National Investigation Agency and Indian Army are asked to give tighter securities across the borders.

Aravinth doubts the efficiency and governance of the party, due to their hidden and secret mission, which the Prime Minister had been carrying off at present. He hopes little. But, motivates Visvajith to be confident and strong in his idea to free Kashmir region.

PATHANKOT:

31 DECEMBER 2016:

9:00 PM:

For one year, Visvajith and the RAW team had been working hard to bring out Ibrahim’s gang. On the other hand, four men who had crossed the India-Pakistan international border from Pakistan and reached the Indian side, stopped a taxi driver Ikagar Singh on the road. There was an attempt to hijack his car but he fought back leading to the hijackers killing him by slitting his throat. The tyres of the hijacked car burst after covering some distance. The armed men then proceeded to hijack a multi-utility vehicle belonging to Salwinder Singh, a superintendent of the Punjab Police, in Dinanagar. In the process, they slit the throat of jeweler Rajesh Kumar, who was later admitted to a hospital. The vehicle was found abandoned about 500 meters away from the airbase. Later, the carjacking was reportedly linked to the attack, the carjackers didn’t recognize it as a police car since it’s lights were turned off.

1 JANUARY 2016:

12:00 AM:

On 1 January 2016, around 12:00 AM, Visvajith calls Raghavarshini and wished her “Happy New Year.” They have some romantic conversation in the phone, discussing how they made love in a hotel room and laughed for one and a half hours. Afterwards, Visvajith slept in his bed.

3:30 PM:

Around 3:30 PM, Visvajith gets a phone call from Malik and he attends. He said: “Chief. Alert, alert.”

“What happened Visva?”

“Chief. Someone is entering inside our Pathankot Air Station.” Visvajith panicked and asked: “What? Who’s that? Check and say from your GPS.”

However, he is unable to track them down and said: “Time is limited Chief. You have to do something before they enter into our Pathankot.” Left with no other choice, Visva calls up Aravinth and reveals this to him. Perplexed, he arranges a helicopter and asked Visvajith to save the station as soon as possible.

After wearing the bullet proof vest and safety dresses, Visvajith enters inside the Air station, where at least six heavily armed people dressed in Indian Army uniforms have breached the high-security perimeter of the airbase.

“The infiltrators possibly hid, using the elephant grass in the perimeter of the campus before making the strike.” Visvajith said to himself, after noting it. A nylon rope found over the 3.4 meters high perimeter wall, looped from the ground up and then down again seemed to indicate the mode of entry. Noting the infiltrators entering into the base, Visva rushes after haring they are to barge into the room, where there are high value assets. Visva was relieved after the Garud commandos, about 700 meters away from the IAF aircraft stopped them. The attackers were carrying grenade, launchers, 52 mm meters, AK rifles and a GPS device.

On 2 January, there was gun fight between the attackers and security forces. Among the attackers, four were killed and 2 security forces lost their lives during the initial battle. Fresh gunshots were heard by Visva, indicating more attackers still at large. Visvajith gets injured when trying to stop the attack and he escaped from the place. Three additional security personnel died in a hospital with severe injuries. The NH-44 road was sealed off as soon as the news of the attack broke.

After the five days attack, the nation’s capital Delhi was put on high alert, as insisted by Visvajith and Aravinth. Delhi police special cell received information that two people from a designated terrorist group based in Kashmir known as Jaish-e-Mohammed has entered the city. Security was tightened across the city, and additional security personnel were added in view of Republic Day Parode to be held on 26 January.

“Today, enemies of humanity who can’t see India progress tried to strike at our strategic area, a prominent airbase at Pathankot. I appreciate our armed forces and thank for foiling our enemy’s attempt.” Watching the words of Narendra Deshmukh, Visvajith becomes furious. While, Aravinth claps and thanked him for appreciating them himself. Visva asked him: “Did he fulfill the promise, gave during the election sir?”

Aravinth was so silent and didn’t speak anything. Visva sits alone in his room and recounts the days, where he and his Pandit people were chased out by Muslims and the promise, he have given to his father and grandfather to free their Kashmir region. Now, he regrets to his grandpa and father, criticizing the Indian Constitution and politics, by looking at the skies.

TWO YEARS LATER:

14 FEBRUARY 2019:

As Aravinth decides to halt the mission for two years, Visvajith returns to Kashmir and spends some memorable moments with his five year old daughter Anshika and Raghavarshini. While, Roshan flees from Pakistan through Indus river, after the terrorist organization finds his true identity. For days, he had been in search of Visvajith, having lost his phone.

At last, in Ladakh, he is able to find out Visvajith and runs after him calling: “Sir, Sir.”

Visvajith recognizes him as Roshan and asked: “What happened Roshan? Why are you dull and injured too?”

Roshan says: “Sir. My identity was found. I was tortured to tell truth. However, I managed to escape from Pakistan and was to meet you for past few days. Wanted to convey an important information to you sir.”

Visvajith asked his wife and Anshika to go inside and said: “What?”

“Ibrahim’s men have planned to attack Indian Security personnel on 14 February 2019 sir. I tried to convey you on 2 February. However, I was found and tortured.” He sends Roshan for treatment in Hospital and informs this news to Aravinth, immediately. However, his news is turned off for uncertain reasons.

Visvajith sits helpless and shouts at the sky. A convoy of 78 vehicles transporting more than 2500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel from Jammu to Srinagar was travelling to National Highway 44. The convoy had left Jammu around 3:30 IST and was carrying a large number of personnel due to the highway having been shut down for two days prior. The convoy was scheduled to reach its destination before sunset.

At Lethpora near Awantipora around 15:15 IST, a bus carrying security personnel was rammed by a car carrying explosives. It caused a blast which killed 40 CRPF personnel of the 76th Battalion and injured many others. The injured were moved to the army base hospital in Srinagar. Ibrahim Ahmed claimed responsibility for the attack. A video was released by him about the assailant Adil Ahmad Dar, a 22-year old from Kakapora who had joined the group a year earlier.

Visvajith grows furious and shouts at Aravinth in RAW, due to the brutal attack. He regrets their casual approach to be the reason for this attack. But, Aravinth consoled him and said: “Aravinth. I and NIA team have dispatched a 12 member team to probe the attack working with the Jammu and Kashmir police. Among the 12 members, you too is there. Not only to investigate. But, enter into full-pledged action against them. I will talk with the Prime Minister, regards to this issue of Kashmir.”

Before going for this mission, Visva meets Raghavarshini and assured her that, “He would come back to Kashmir, either dead or alive. But, would surely ensure that his region is free from terrorism.”

Initial investigations suggested the car was carrying more than 300 kilograms of explosives, including 80 kilograms of RDX, a high explosive, and ammonium nitrate. Visva and NIA filed a charge-sheet in August 2020 and named 19 accused. Under Prime Minister’s support and RAW’s guidance, an airstrike mission was planned on 26 February.

Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air force led by Visvajith and Indian Army crossed the Line of Control and dropped bombs into Balakot, Pakistan. After releasing the bombs, the jets returned into Indian Airspace unharmed. In the airstrike, numerous of Ibrahim’s camps and organizations were destroyed.

Visvajith entered into the secret base of Ibrahim however although other people went from the place. Abdul Malik have been guiding him about the location, having hacked the Balakot place, previously with Roshan’s help. Recalling the situation of Kashmir and the brutal attacks, where he have lost their family and at present, Pulvama attacks, Visvajith released the bomb at Ibrahim’s base, thus killing him instantly. As the place explodes, Visvajith returns to Kashmir, where he sees several people waiting for the arrival of Indian Army people and his wife Raghavarshini, waiting with Anshika. While returning in his jet, he recalls an incident with his grandfather.

1995:

In 1992's when Visvajith was two-years old, he suffered from pneumonia and the doctors scolded his grandfather for being so careless and had less hope about his life.

Getting angry he said: "I came here so that, you could cure him. But, you are talking about his life." As they tried to console him by blessing his life, grandpa said: "I doesn't want him to live a 100 years life. One life, he should live by fulfilling his father's wish and the promise." Visva feels proud for fulfilling the promise, he had given to his father and grandfather.

He reconciles with her and attends the State funerals of security personnel killed in the attack at the Indian Army site. Raghavarshini and Visvajith were in tears watching the family of dead Army officers. Raghavarshini said: “Indian Army and RAW agents like you are the nation’s real hero Visvajith. While, Film heroes are just reel heroes.” He smiles and said: “Each and every youngsters have to come forward in developing our country to the next level Raghavarshini.”

FEW DAYS LATER:

Protests, bandhs and candle light were held across India. There were violent protests in Jammu resulting in a curfew being imposed starting 14 February.  The Indian community in the United Kingdom held protests outside the Pakistan High Commission in London. A delegation of Indian doctors cancelled their visit to Pakistan for the 13th Association of Anaesthesiologists Congress, organised by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, in Lahore on 7 March. Indian broadcaster DSport said it would no longer broadcast Pakistan Super League cricket matches. The All Indian Cine Workers Association announced a ban on Pakistani actors and artists in the Indian film industry, and stated that strong action would be taken on any organisation violating it. The Indian Film and Television Directors Association also announced a ban on Pakistani artists in films and music produced in India; the president of the organisation threatened to "vandalise" the sets of any Indian film production with Pakistani artists.

18 FEBRUARY 2019:

Following intelligence inputs, in the early morning hours of 18 February, a joint team by Vishvajith: comprising 55 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operations Group of India killed two terrorists and two supporters in an anti-terrorism encounter operation in the ensuing manhunt for the perpetrators in Pulwama. One of them, Abdul Rasheed Ghazi alias Kamran, was identified as a Pakistani national and was considered the mastermind of the attack and a commander of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM). In addition, local JeM recruit Hilal Ahmed, along with two sympathisers who housed Ghazi and Ahmed to evade capture, were also shot dead in the encounter. Four security personnel were killed in the gunfight.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Deshmukh condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that a strong response will be given to the terror attack. India blamed Pakistan for the attack.

5 AUGUST 2019:

Visvajith and Aravinth are angry by the brutal attacks and they demands the ruling party to remove Article 370 and revoke the special status, given to Kashmir, to which a meeting had been held by the party in Parliament, where opposition party also joined. When Tamilnadu opposition party leader opposed the revoke, Visvajith and another politician from Kashmir questioned him: “What do you know about our Kashmir region and it’s problems? Without knowing, how dare you oppose it! Shut up your mouth and sit man, you uneducated illiterate brute.”

He sits quietly, having been insulted to this extent. Staring at Visvajith, a vengeful TN opposition party leader looks at the conference. After a big discussions, people gave support for revoking special constitution in the parliament.

In April 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Article 370 had attained permanency since the state constituent assembly has ceased to exist. To overcome this legal challenge, the Indian government instead rendered Article 370 as 'inoperative' even though it still exists in the constitution. On 5 August, a presidential order was issued – the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 – which superseded the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954.

The August 2019 Presidential order stated that all the provisions of the Indian Constitution applied to Jammu and Kashmir. This in effect meant that the separate Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir stood abrogated, and a single constitution now applied to all the Indian states. The President issued the order with the "concurrence of the Government of State of Jammu and Kashmir". This in effect meant the concurrence of the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir since President's rule was imposed at that time in the state. The order was issued using the third clause of Article 370, which authorised the President of India to declare the article inoperative with exceptions and modifications, if recommended by the (non-existent) state constituent assembly to do so. To circumvent the legal issue of the non-existent state constituent assembly, the President used the Clause (I) of Article 370, which conferred him with the power to modify the Indian Constitution on subjects related to Jammu and Kashmir. So he first added a new clause to Article 367, which deals with interpretation of the Constitution. He replaced the phrase 'Constituent Assembly of the State' with 'Legislative Assembly of the State'. Since the state legislative assembly has been suspended, the order says that any reference to the legislative assembly will be construed as a reference to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. The governor is an appointee of the Central government. Therefore, the Indian Parliament now functions for the state legislative assembly.

Hence, the Indian Home Minister moved a resolution in the Rajya Sabha to give the President the necessary recommendation he needs to declare Article 370 as inoperative. Subsequently, the statutory resolution seeking the revocation of the special status under Article 370 and the bill for the state's reorganisation was debated and passed by the Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2019 with 125 (67%) votes in its favour and 61 (33%) against it. On 6 August, the bill for the reorganisation was debated and passed by the Lok Sabha with 370 (86%) votes in its favour and 70 (14%) against it, and the resolution recommending the revocation was passed by 351 votes in favour and 72 against.

On 28 August 2019, the Supreme Court of India agreed to hear multiple petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. It constituted a five-judge bench for the same.  The court also issued notices to the government, seeking a reply to the petitions, whereby declining pleas by the government which argued that the notices could be cited in international forums such as the United Nations. Additionally, the court ordered the government to reply within seven days to a petition seeking an end to the restrictions on communications as well as other restrictions in the region.

The Supreme Court heard the petitions on 30 September 2019. It allowed the central government to submit its replies to the petitions in 30 days and fixed 14 November 2019 as the next date of hearing. The petitioners wanted the court to issue an injunction against reorganisation of the state into two union territories but the court declined to issue any injunction. This means that the two union territories came into existence on 31 October 2019 as planned.

Visvajith and his team feels happier and they have no words to praise. When meeting the Prime Minister personally, he said: “Visvajith. I too was a victim of terrorism. That’s why I revoked this special constitution. We were working for this since we got into power.”

Visvajith emotionally embraces the PM and salutes him. He appreciates the sincerity and patriotism of Visvajith and appoints him as the National Security advisor of their party, which Visva accepts, After informing Raghavarshini about this, he goes to meet her in Kashmir through a special aircraft, arranged by the PM. He emotionally re-join with his family.

Prior to the 5 August revocation announcement, Section 144 curfew was imposed in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, the Hindu-majority Jammu region and the Muslim & Buddhist populated Ladakh region. The current lockdown was far more intense in the Srinagar (Kashmir) region, where “people are used to curfews and living under a heavy security presence.”

At present, Visvajith is asked by his daughter Anshika: “Dad. When this lockdown would be removed?”

Raghavarshini holds her and said: “My girl. When people are peaceful and happier, this curfew would be taken off!”

“Peaceful and happier means, how?”

Visva lifts his daughter and takes her around the Himalayas, which were there around 1000 meters, from their house.

“Anshu. What could you see there?”

Looking wider at the sky and Himalayas, Anshika said: “The snowy mountains, trees and beautiful lands. It’s very peaceful and happy dad.”

“Correct. The same here. When people becomes happier without any violence and fights, everything will become normal. If they are racial in the name of caste, religion and community, curfew will continue on us.” Vishvajith goes inside his house, along with Raghavarshini.

When laying for a while in the bed, he sees the reflection of his grandfather and father, smiling at him in peace.


EPILOGUE:



The information comes after a wave of civilian killings in parts of J&K, including Srinagar, in the past few months, in which Kashmiri Pandits as well as many from other communities, including Muslims, and those from outside the union territory, were shot dead.

The government this month denied the killings had triggered fears among minority communities, although it said "115 Kashmiri Pandit families, mostly women and children, had moved to Jammu".

In November, the other Junior Home Minister, Nityanand Rai, told Parliament 1,678 migrants had returned since Article 370 was scrapped in August 2019, to take up jobs under the same scheme.

Of those who have received government assistance, nearly 54,000 are Hindus and around 11,000 Muslims, with the rest consisting of Sikhs and those from other communities.




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