Commander: On Duty Chapter 1

Trigger Warning: Since the story is intense and violent in parts, it needs a compulsory parental guidance for 12 to 14 year age group people 

MUMBAI, 25 SEPTEMBER 2005: 

JCP Harbhajan Singh, the Joint Commissioner of Bangalore has been transferred to Mumbai, along with his friend Encounter specialist Inspector Vijay Khanna, after a bus had been blasted in Mumbai in October 2005.

Both of them are widowers, losing their wives, who died due to pregnancy complications. Harbhajan Singh have a son named, "Arjun Singh." While, Vijay Khanna has a son named, "Sai Adhithya Khanna."

Arjun and Sai Adhithya are close friends, since their childhood days. Both studied in the same school while residing in Bangalore. Arjun is a skilled chess-game player. Besides being a chess player, he is a gifted multi-talented guy, solving puzzled and complex issues, using his presence of mind. While, Sai Adhithya is intelligent in solving problematic situations and is known for escaping from situational troubles, having a full focus on his objectives. However, he is always jealous of Arjun's immense intelligence and gifted talents. He vows to win Arjun, somehow or the other, someday or the other.

Impressed with both of their intelligence and talents, Vijay Khanna and Harbhajan Singh decides to train them both for the Indian Army when these two are only ten years old.

Vijay Khanna tells his son, "Adhithya. You have to prepare yourself stronger when you join in Indian Army. There, life will be full of battles. You have to fight the way and stand your ground, sustaining all your pain and agony."

While Harbhajan Singh tells Arjun, "Arjun. I know you would do anything, without worrying about the nature of the job. However, remember this thing. When you are working for something, you have to do it with dedication and soul. Remember that, your work could make an impact in the lives of other people." After the school hours, Arjun and Adhithya are given tough schedules for the training.

Adhithya struggles a lot. Because, he fears holding the gun at that age of eight and tells his dad, "Dad. I feel feared to use this gun. If something happens?"

"If fear is there in you, then how could you go and sustain in the Indian Army da? Our lives are not just on the surface, their great part is concealed from casual observation. You have to fight on the snow, in the midst of the hot sun, and in the bushes. How will you sustain such challenges, if you are unable to hold this gun properly?" His father asked him, holding his hands. Feeling motivated and angered, Adhithya holds the gun bravely and shoots the target, set by his father, who asked him: "Now, what can you be able to see there da?"

"I could see my target only, dad."

Adhithya and Arjun are day-by-day given hardcore training, used in the Indian Army. They have to run for eight kilometers at that age, have to carry weighted materials, and have been asked to enter into dirty waters. Besides these things, the duo is given a test to survive by being asked to take the snakes and dangerous tasks by their respective fathers.

THREE YEARS LATER: 

At the age of 13 years, the duo has become ready physically. But, still more, "Adhithya is not ready to fight the tougher situations bravely, due to his fear." He sees Arjun telling his father Harbhajan Singh, "Dad. I am ready for everything. With your further training, I would be able to survive the tougher situations in my life." While hearing his conversation, Adhithya clearly observes his gestures, body language, and his eye contact.

He feels jealous of his talent and often this leads to an ego clash between both of them in the class, since their childhood days, despite the duo being close friends. They continue to fight each other, challenging themselves "Who could be better?"

26 NOVEMBER 2008: 

On 26 November 2008, since terrorists are indulging in brutal attacks all over Mumbai holding hostage of important places such as Chatrapati Sivaji Terminus, Taj Hotel, and Leopold Café, the Government of Maharashtra and Police department calls JCP Harbhajan Singh and Inspector Vijay for this operation to prevent the terrorist attacks.

As Harbhajan is leaving, Arjun asked his father, "Dad. Will you return back?"

"Hey. This is just a small mission da. I would go and come back sooner. Don't worry." He arranges a few security for his protection and leaves for the mission to guard him against dangers. When Adhithya asked the same questions to his father, Vijay replied to him, "My son. I don't know whether I would come back alive or not. Maybe, I would die. But, before we die, we have to do something, that's useful to our people. Remember this well."

Adhithya too is given protection in the house. While Inspector Vijay Khanna and JCP Harbhajan Singh are joined by two more police officers: ACP Amit Singh and Inspector Ashok Varma. They tried their best to protect the people from the clutches of terrorists. However, on 27 November 2008 in a narrow lane between St. Xavier's college and Rang Bhavan, they died in fighting the attacks.

Twenty-five minutes later, their body is returned to Adhithya and Arjun. Both cried out aloud for the death of their respective fathers. However, reminded of what they both had said to them, they wipe off their tears, saluting Harbhajan Singh and Vijay Khanna. With honorary and full police respect, the victims of these blasts are cremated.

Following this, Adhithya and Arjun part ways separately challenging, "We have different knowledge and intelligence. But, to the world, they see only those, who emerged victoriously. Let's see who among us both would win."

ELEVEN YEARS LATER: 

27 FEBRUARY 2019: 

On 27 February 2019 in Kashmir borders, a MIG-21 was scrambled to intercept an intrusion into Indian-administered Kashmir by Pakistani aircraft.

"Officer in command reporting sir. All clear" said the guy, who was flying MIG-21. However, while flying, he sees a dogfight, and in the ensuing confusion, the driver crossed into Pakistani airspace, and his aircraft was struck by a missile.

The aircraft officer safely descended into the village of Horran in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, 7 km from the Line of Control. Upon landing, the Aircraft officer asked the villagers, "Sir. Am I in India?"

A young boy replied, "Yes. You are on the safe horizon of India." The officer raised pro-India slogans, "Jai Hind! Bharat Mata Ki Jai," to which the locals raised pro-Pakistan slogans. The officer began firing warning shots. Seeing this, the villagers captured and manhandled him before being rescued by the Pakistan Army's General Nadeem Ahmed.

A FEW HOURS LATER: 

RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN: 

A few hours later, the Aircraft officer gets transferred to Rawalapindi, where the prison officers asked his name to which he tells, "I am Commander Sai Adhithya." He is subject to brutal tortures inside the prison. The strong man is treated for his wounds and is locked in prison. While in the prison, he tells, "In 8*5 room, a solitary cell. The stench of my blood and bruises the darkness. It was my Air force training…My ties to our country…the rage at the enemy…and the patriotism that kept me going. With my tomorrows vanishing, all that I have now…are yesterday memories."

Adhithya recalls his father's words, which he had heard in his childhood days while sleeping in the prison. While in the prison, he sees three other Indian Army officers, being captured during the 2016 Indian Line of Control strike.

A FEW DAYS BACK: 

On 14 February 2019, a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting more than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)[a] personnel from Jammu to Srinagar was traveling on National Highway 44. The convoy had left Jammu around 03:30 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 that killed 40 CRPF personnel of the 76th Battalion and injured many others. The injured were moved to the army base hospital in Srinagar.

Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. They also released a video of the assailant Adil Ahmad Dar, a 22-year-old from Kakapora who had joined the group a year earlier. Dar's family had last seen him in March 2018, when he left his house on a bicycle one day and never returned. Pakistan denied any involvement, though Jaish-e-Mohammed's leader, Masood Azhar, is known to operate in the country.

It is the deadliest terror attack on India's state security personnel in Kashmir since 1989. Following this, a surgical strike have been planned and Adhithya was roped in for the mission along with a few more people. But, was captured by the Pakistan army people.

PRESENT: 

CGO COMPLEX, NEW DELHI: 

7:30 PM: 

Meanwhile, in New Delhi around 7:30 PM, Colonel Rakesh Varma comes to know from one of the undercover officer that, "Several weaponries have gone missing from the Indian Army, including Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241." Shocked and puzzled, Rakesh Varma contacts Arjun, who answers the call telling, "Arjun speaking sir. How are you?"

"I have to meet you immediately Arjun." Arjun is slim, sports an army-cut hair style and looks taller. Having finished his regular exercises, he warms up and gets ready to meet his senior officer. Meeting him he asked: "If you have called me for something, it's seriously going to be a complex issue. Am I right sir?"

"Yes, Arjun. You are right. Several weaponries have gone missing from the Indian army, that includes Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241. We have to retrieve it back." Rakesh Varma said to Arjun.

"Sir. Now what I have to do?" asked Arjun, looking at him to which Rakesh Varma replied saying, "Now listen up Arjun. Intelligence indicates that the Pakistan terrorists and army were involved in the theft of advanced technological research from a Indian facility. They have set a lab under the cover of Rawalapindi jail." Showing the map of Rawalapindi Jail, he tells him: "These guys guard access to the entry gate. A direct assault is not an option. Stealth will be vital, so keep it quiet. Stick to silenced weapons unless you have no other choice."

Arjun agrees to accomplish the mission successfully and Rakesh Varma guides him. With the help of MIG-21, he reaches Rawalapindi successfully, with the help of his pilot Yogesh. After reaching the prison, Arjun is asked by Rakesh Varma: "How is the climate there Arjun? Hope that you are fine." After sometimes, Arjun successfully manages to enter into the gate of Rawalapindi Jail, using backside gate, where he have stabbed two wardens to death.

Entering inside the prison, he sees the enemy troops and successfully kills them off, hiding from the door, besides him. He throws a grenade at General Nadeem Ahmed, who approaches to kill him and this in turn, kills Nadeem. Following this, Arjun successfully retrieves back the stolen weaponries from the laboratory of the prison.

Seeing the shout of Indian people's mercy for food and crying, Arjun gets inside and successfully he rescues: Sai Adhithya and three more people. They all escape from the prison successfully and reaches back to Kashmir. Indian people are happy to see Sai Adhithya back and he rejoins in the Indian Army. Prime Minister of India, been impressed with his bravery, promotes him for the RAW agent with the help of Rakesh Varma.

During the selection process, Prime Minister asked Sai Adhithya, "How could you be able to sustain such brutal torture in that prison?"

"Because, my father Vijay Khanna have told me in childhood days: 'Life is full of battles. Fight the way, stand your ground.' That's why I am able to survive sir" said Sai Adhithya.

"And Arjun, doesn't you have fear about your life?" asked Rakesh Varma.

"Sir. I am not cared about my life. But, I am concerned. Before dying, I need to do something, that's useful to our country. This is my father Harbhajan Singh's commanding words, before he died" said Arjun. Hearing these words, Adhithya deduces that he is his late childhood friend Arjun Singh.

Though Arjun too was able to recognize Adhithya as his childhood friend, he remains silent pretending as, "he doesn't remember about him." And during the interrogation about the weaponries, Rakesh asked Arjun, "And what about the Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241, Arjun? It's missing."

"Sorry sir. I didn't get it. I searched everywhere. It was missing clearly" said Arjun. Frustrated, Rakesh Varma told, "How could it go missing Arjun? That's impossible."

Adhithya tells him, "Sir. The room size of that weaponry place is 8*5. Additionally, this two are not much important to the Indian Army. Rather, it could be much needed by some other organizations in Pakistan. So, this two could have been got by some other people."

Rakesh Varma decides to work on and retrieve the two important: Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241. Since, both are important to the upcoming missile launch project, that is launched by the ISRO organization. While, Arjun gives hardcore training to Adhithya, as ordered by Rakesh Varma.

Arjun doesn't have any personal grudge or enmity against his friend Adhithya. He subjects him to a lot of psychological tests and this heats up the anger Adhithya. He feels angered to the several psychological tests. But, bears with Arjun, keeping in mind the words told by his father to fight his way.

After the training period of three months, Adhithya finally copes up and meets Rakesh Varma finally, along with Arjun. Rakesh Varma tells Arjun, "Arjun. Shocking information I got from one of our RAW agents."

"What information is that, sir?" asked Arjun and Adhithya.

"Guys. You know what is meant by Wahabism?" asked Rakesh Varma.

"Wahabism!" Arjun and Adhithya think for a while and reply, "No sir. We don't know what's meant by that!"

"It actually refers to the Islamic revivalist and fundamentalist movement within Sunni Islam. In the last few years, our country has faced countless threats from them. But they didn't fructify" said Varma. Adhithya immediately asked him, "Sir. Why didn't they fructify this immediately?"

"Because of their failure to ally with local-like minded groups, the lack of ground support and alertness on the part of Indian Security agencies," Varma replied to him.

However, Arjun becomes serious and questioned his senior officer, "Sir. I don't know why the hell this topic is coming?"

Varma gets up and asked him, "Arjun. Have you forgotten about the Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241?"

Arjun reminds about the mission, which he had undertaken before a few days ago in Pakistan, and tells, "Yes sir. I remember this, well. But, how come this Wahabism connects these two?"

Rakesh Varma showcases an article saying, "See. Kerala madrasas are teaching Wahabism, Saudi has sponsored creed linked to terror. Their motivation is to terrorize people using Nucleo-atomic explosives and the Wahabiat ideologies to be spread everywhere around the country. This organization is spread across the world nations too."

While hearing this, Rakesh additionally gives them information stating, "I got to hear that someone named Rahim is its chief. His identity remains unknown despite several attempts." He assigns Adhithya to retrieve Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241, revealing the location as Al-Masmak organization of Idukki in Kerala, where terrorists are told to be indulging in suspicious activities.

The two guys are assisted by former trainers Aravinth Krishna, who oversees the operations, and Shiva, his trusted aid and technical lead. Before coming for this mission, Rakesh Varma gives Arjun and Adhithya the number: 1127. As an undercover agent, his primary job is to infiltrate, recon, sabotage, and even assassinate, all behind the enemy lines.

After reaching Kerala along with Sai Adhithya, Aravinth Krishna, and Shiva, Arjun realizes that "He misinterpreted the clue and it's actually reverse" upon seeing his father's photo with an honorary medal, which he got from the Indian Government in December 2009.

Adhithya sees Arjun puzzled and asked him, "Hey. What happened da? Why are you sitting puzzled?"

"No da. Our RAW Agent has given us the number 1126. It's actually not that. But actually, it's 26.11.2008. The day before My father and your father's death. But why have they given this number again?" Arjun thinks for a while and realizes that it's actually the Constitution day and the target by Wahabias is Minister Ranganathan Nair, who is the Finance Minister of Kerala. But, is too late. Before they could reach Kozhikode, the minister gets killed by the terrorists and they flee from the place.

Rakesh Varma comes to know about the death of Ranganathan and asks Arjun to do something and retrieve back the two important weaponries. But, he too is sooner killed after he drinks a coffee, which makes him choke. Arjun suspects some mole to be present in the RAW and Sai Adhithya refuses to believe this, however arguing that, "It's the work of the terrorists."

A FEW HOURS LATER, COCHI AIRPORT: 

Arjun and Adhithya come to know from local TV news that, he has been framed as the kingpin of the attack, and PMO issues an arrest warrant. But, they manage to escape.

Simultaneously, Arjun, Sakthi, and Adhithya are attacked by Al-Masmak members and Sakthi dies in this ensuing attack. The duo manages to defeat the commandos nearby the seaport and successfully finds out a boat, through which they two manage to escape for Mumbai.

There, Adhithya meets his former senior commanding officer General Ashwin Raghavan, who has come for leave and was the one, who has sent him for the surgical strike.

While with him, Arjun and Adhithya get to know about Muhammad Mansoor from Ashwin Raghavan.

1994: 

Ashwin captured Mansoor in early 1994, when he traveled 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. India 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"

JULY 1995: 

In July 1995, six foreign tourists were kidnapped in Jammu and Kashmir. The kidnappers, referring to themselves as Al-Faran, included the release of Mansoor 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. FBI had interrogated Mansoor multiple times during his jail stay on the locus of the kidnappings.

FOUR YEARS LATER, 1999: 

Four years later, in December 1999, an Indian Airlines Flight 814 (IC814) en route from Kathmandu in Nepal to New Delhi was hijacked and eventually landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan after being flown to multiple locations. Kandahar at that time was controlled by the Taliban, which was suggested to be working with Pakistan's ISI. Mansoor was one of the three militants who demanded to be released in exchange for freeing the hostages. Subsequently, he was freed by the Indian government in a decision criticized by many including Ajit Doval as a "diplomatic failure", and that no one worth any consequence was contacted either by the (then) foreign minister (Jaswant Singh) or the (then) foreign secretary (Lalit Mansingh) and as a consequence, the Indian ambassador could not even get inside the Abu Dhabi airport. The hijackers of IC814 were led by Mansoor's brother, Azeem. His release from Kot Bhalwal jail was supervised by an IPS officer, S P Vaid. His younger brother Abdul Rauf had planned this attack. Once Mansoor was handed over to the hijackers, they fled to Pakistani territory. Pakistan had said the hijackers would be arrested if found, a difficult task given the length of the border and multitude of access points from Afghanistan. The Pakistani government also previously indicated that Mansoor would be allowed to return home since he did not face any charges there.

Shortly after his release, he made a public address to an estimated 10,000 people in Karachi. He proclaimed, "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.

In 1999, after Mansoor's release, the Harkat-ul-Ansar was proscribed by the U.S. and added to the list of banned terrorist organizations. This move forced Harkat-ul-Ansar to change its name to the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM).

PRESENT: 

"Sir. After that, was our Army be able to find out Mansoor?" asked Adhithya. For this, Ashwin Raghavan replied, "No Adhithya. He wasn't found in Pakistan. Even evidence proved favorable for that. We don't know where they are all residing." Ashwin said. Following his statements, Adhithya confirms that "Someone is behind all these attacks and have suspicions on Mansoor and Rahim."

The two go back to Idukki district and Arjun investigates about Al-Masmak, which is noticed by the sleeper cells. They follow him and attack him, but Adhithya saves him and the duo infiltrates the headquarters of the organization in Kozhikode of Kerala with Aravinth's help and finds some DVDs in the hideout.

Aravinth is attacked by a member of Al-Masmak named Amzad Khan and is left severely injured. But, an angry Arjun finishes him off and destroys the entire headquarters, joining hands with Adhithya.

Arjun and Adhithya find terrorist training videos and propaganda in a secret locker at the camp. In a video shop, he watches all the old CDs which he has found in the hideout. All the CDs mentioned about Al-Masmak; the first CD shows about a boy and a girl in the training and how they are brainwashed into becoming terrorists, and in the other, it shows how Wahhabism ideologies are taught to the younger minds.

In the third CD, Adhithya sees something written in the Urdu language and is unable to recognize it. He gives it to Arjun and asked him, "This video portrays something in Urdu Arjun. Don't know what's it."

Since Arjun specialized in Urdu Language during the training period, he gets the CD and is shocked upon reading it.

On observing him, Adhithya asked him: "What happened da? Why are you this much shocked?"

"The name is...Muhammad..."

"Muhammad..." He waits eagerly to hear the name.

"Muhammad Mansoor Khan da. He is only Rahim, actually" said Arjun. But, it's too late. The terrorists and Mansoor's younger brother Abdul Faraq surrounds them. However, both of them manages to kill the henchman and in the ensuing shootout, Arjun gets shot in his right arm by Faraq. Angered, Adhithya shoots Faraq in his left leg and subdued him.

Along with Faraq, the three escapes from the place to Idukki Reseved forests. Arjun removes the bullet in his hands, using a stick from the nearby tree.

"Hey. Blood is coming out da." Adhithya said, to which Arjun takes a eucalyptus leaf and clears off his blood.

"This is actually a new mission for you da. But, for me this mission is not much newer. I survived in denseforest areas, dense snowfalls and deserts. And I am not jealous of you da." Arjun said to him.

Adhithya now tells him, "I am not jealous of you now. Because, I realized your true love and affection, when you rescued me from Rawalpindi prison."

Then, the duo confronts Faraq and ties him up to a chair, subjecting him to brutal tortures, using Chinese technique.

Arjun asked, "Tell me da. Where's that Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241? Tell."

Faraq is unable to bear the tortures and reveals them, "It's in one of our Mumbai organizations." Adhithya kills him, as he confessed and disposes Faraq's body near to some dense trees. They both heads to Mumbai and fights with the people of Al-Masmak in Mumbai and successfully manages to retrieve Uranium-237 and Plutonium-241.

Before going, one of the dying terrorist tells, "Even if you have retrieved this weapon, Mansoor would continue to spread the ideologies of Wahabism da. Because, we are in n numbers. Not so easier to destroy us."

Arjun remembers his father's words, "When you are working for something, you have to do it with dedication and soul. Remember that, your work could make an impact in the lives of other people" and he shoots Faraq dead. Learning this news from the organization members, Mansoor too died out of heart attack.

ONE WEEK LATER: 

One week later, Arjun meets Aravinth and tells him, "Actually, Rakesh Varma conversed with me about a mole before dying. The culprit is going to die in a few minutes. And that's you."

Adhithya then recalls, how they had found about Aravinth. Aravinth's real name was Sameer Ahmed. He observed in the first CD(with the kids who are brainwashed) the boy who is getting trained with guns in the terrorist camp and the trainer calls him Sameer Ahmed, giving him the nickname as Aravinth.

Aravinth/Sameer Ahmed raises his gun to shoot both Arjun and Adhithya to death, but Arjun reminds him, "Whatever works that you do, is always watched by our RAW Agent, Aravinth alias Sameer Ahmed."

The RAW team shoots Sameer to death.

FEW DAYS LATER:

MOUNT BLANC, RUSSIA:

Later on, Arjun contacts Sunil Sharma, who have been replaced with Rakesh Varma and tells, "Agent Arjun" reporting to him and he tells, "Arjun. You and Adhithya are assigned for a new mission. The people you are going to deal are so dangerous."

As Sunil Sharma is telling about this, he sees a message from Arjun, "Mission- On progress" and they plots to start their undercover mission in Russia.

EPILOGUE: 

Inspirations for this story: Concept of Wahabism, 2008 Mumbai Serial Blasts, India-Pakistan Border skirmishes, and Surgical Strike missions. 

About the story: Initially, I had plans to make this story a prequel and sequel. But, I didn't have plans to write a prequel as well as the sequel.

Reasons for not including Female leads or romance tracks: I initially had plans to include female leads for this story. Since I felt that this could spoil the narration of the story, I have planned not to include female leads, thus excluding unnecessary love tracks to make it different from other spy-thriller stories.