BLACK TIGER FORCE

                                         

NOTE: This story is based on Author’s fiction. It doesn’t apply to any historical references or real-life incidents.

SEPTEMBER 2018

SIALKOT, PAKISTAN

Around 6:30 AM, the Pakistani army reached the backyard of the prison in Sialkot, where they caught a 26-year old youngster. The youngster is an iron-fist man with bearded face. He had been reading Quran book when the army saw him. They subjected him to brutal tortures at an interrogation center. After experiencing the tortures, Abdul is locked in a dark prison cell.

As the room is dark, Abdul motivated himself singing: “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like it’s heaven on earth.”

When wandering awkward inside the cell, he recalled his life as a college student in Karachi University in the year 2016.

2015

KARACHI UNIVERSITY, PAKISTAN

Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people. I applied for LLB in Karachi University, which was successful. With my sheer brilliance and intelligence, I completed my LLB. Shortly after completing my LLB, I joined Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer and was eventually promoted to the rank of Major.

From 2016 to 2018, I worked as a Pakistani Army officer. I commanded several strikes against Indian Army. Everybody wants to be famous, but nobody wants to do the work. I live by that. This type of mindset have completely put my life upside down.

PRESENT

At present, Abdul looked at the dark clouds through a window in his prison. As there’s no one to talk, he said in a silent voice: “Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise.”

2016-2018

On December 2016, I met Syedriyan. Since he belonged to my religion, we became close friends. Life imposes things on you that you can’t control, but you still have the choice of how you’re going to live through this.

I and Syderiyan lived in the same house. We shared several thoughts about life and friendship. At this point of time, some Pakistani forces interrogated Syedriyan on February 2017. While reading Quran I found Syed’s Indian passport embassy. I was left shocked. While he said in a drunk state: “I am an undercover RAW Agent sent by India.” He further revealed his true nature of his work and said, “I gave him shelter as he belonged to my religion.” On the instructions of the Pakistani Intelligence officials, he met me and in a park I was also arrested on charges of espionage.

PRESENT

“When we do the best we can, we never knew what miracle is wrought in our life or the life of another.” Abdul says, by holding the prison cell. Some of his neighbor prisoners felt pity on him and learns of his plight because of an Indian RAW Agent officer.

“Abdul. Keep calm and carry on. Maybe that’s what life is…a wink of the eye and winking stars.” One of the prisoner stated to him while working in the backyard of the prison. Several says to him that: “Terrorism has no religion. It’s highly spread in Pakistan. The government and the army never have an intention to serve for people. But, to serve for their own needs and selfish desires.”

Within a few months, the Pakistani Supreme Court sentenced Abdul to death, but his punishment was later altered to life imprisonment. He was kept in multiple jails including Sialkot, Kot Lakhpat and Mianwali. In Mianwali, he befriended Mansoor, who had been arrested for treason.

He says, “I would help you to escape from the prison.” One day, in a roll call, the guards find Abdul’s cell empty. An irate guard throws a rock at a poster of Raquel Weltch hanging on the cell wall, revealing a tunnel that Abdul dug with his rock hammer over the past two years. The previous night, Abdul used the rope to escape through the tunnel and prison sewage pipe, taking Mansoor’s suit and shoes. Abdul travels to Azad Kashmir, from where he escapes to Jammu and Kashmir by swimming the Indus River.

From Ladakh, Abdul heads to New Delhi in a bus. He faints at Faridabad due to the lack of food. A 28-year old woman sees him fainted and goes on to rescue him. She runs away in fear after seeing his bearded face and marks of injuries all over his body.

Assuming him as Pakistani terrorist, she decides to lodge a complaint to the police. However, the girl’s father and elder brother advised her to stop taking some hasty decisions. Instead, they takes the fainted Abdul and treats his injury marks. From his pocket, they took a purse, in which they noticed two passports- One as an Indian and other as a Pakistani. Once Abdul recovered from his injuries, he wakes up to find himself at the girl’s house.

He finds his passport and credit card missing and searched the house. The girl stood besides him and asked: “Are you searching this two?”

Seeing it, he said: “Yes. Why you took this? Who are you?” Abdul immediately questioned them. The girl introduced herself as Varshini. She said: “I found you fainted at Faridabad. Upon insisted by my father and younger brother, I bought you here to treat your injuries.”

Abdul begged her not to inform anything to police. However, she says, “It’s her next step, as she have cured him.” But, he says about his shattered life because of a Indian Muslim’s betrayal. His sufferings and pains in Pakistan prison deeply disturbed her. The family said, “We won’t reveal anything to the people. Don’t worry. Think us as your own family.”

Abdul started to grew closer with Varshini’s family. Their hospitality, equal treatment to all religious people and dignity really touched his heart. He feels guilty and shame thinking how Pakistani Muslims ill-treated Non-Muslims. While Varshini shared the stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, Abdul shared the quotes of Quran and stories of Allah-Prophet Muhammad.

SEPTEMBER 2020

One day when relaxing himself in the banks of Yamuna River, a phone call comes for Abdul. The strange person asked Abdul to meet him nearby a fort at Old Delhi residence. As he rushed there in haste, Varshini and her brother had a slight doubt and followed him to the place.

Seeing Syedrian injured, Abdul rushed to him. Taking him to the backyard of Yamuna banks he asked: “Syed…What happened?”

“Abdul. Had I been an American, I would have been out of the jail.” Syed added, “I received poor treatment as I am an Indian. They subjected me to brutal tortures da. The only good thing that I did is to bring your original Indian passport when escaping the prison. I found it difficult to cross our Indian borders.” After apologizing him, his hands and legs doesn’t move.

“Syed. Look at me da. Hey!” Abdul said by tapping his cheeks. At the nick point of time, Varshini comes and checked his pulse. With some tears, she says to Abdul: “His pulse didn’t work Abdul.” Checking his eyes and heartbeats, she declared Syed dead with some tear drops. Abdul becomes awestruck and shattered.

He feels guilty and remains in depression for more than two days. While, Varshini re-looked the passports of Abdul. Checking the original passport given by Syed, her brother says: “Sister. He’s not Abdul Ahmed Shikar. His real name is Sanjay Pandit.” Feeling cheated and betrayed, Varshini confronts Abdul with the evidence, who accepts the truth. He says: “Yes. My name is not Abdul Ahmed. I am Sanjay. Sanjay Pandit.”

FEW YEARS BACK

1990, KASHMIR

I was born on April 11, 1990 in Srinagar, Kashmir in a Pandit family to Brinda Tickoo and Rajkumar Pandit. During the periods of 1990’s, the Jihadi terrorists sponsored by Pakistan were constantly attacking the Kashmiri Hindus who didn’t flee the valley and various reports of atrocities keep coming quietly. My mother Brinda Tickoo as a Kashmiri Pandit married woman from Bandipora and worked as a laboratory assistant at a government school in the Srinagar valley. She fled the Kashmir region along with me and family. We settled in Jammu in the aftermath of the “Azadi Movement” by the JKLF(Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, headed by Ahmed Yasin Malik) militants. My father was brutally killed by Ahmed Yasin Malik before Brinda flee from Kashmir region.

Hearing his bitter past, Varshini felt sad. While, Sanjay continued to tell his past.

One day, she received a call from someone who told her that the communal separatist movement in the valley had subsided and she can come back and collect her salary dues. She was assured that she would return home safely and the area was now safer.

In June 1990, Brinda set out to return to valley, collected her salary dues from the school and headed to her local Muslim colleague’s home to pay a visit as she was visiting the area after long time. Unknown to her, she was closely tracked by the Jihadi terrorists who kidnapped my mother from the home of her colleague and took her to an unknown place while keeping her blindfolded. Apart from that colleague, all other people in the locality either watched silently when she was being abducted in front of public, or were okayed to see this, for they believed that she was a ‘Kaafir’ and hence they shouldn’t think too much for her.

After few days, her dead body was found roadside in an extremely horrible condition. My grandfather was extremely heartbroken upon hearing the report of post-mortem. My mother was brutally gang-raped, sodomized, horribly tortured and cut into two halves using a mechanical saw while she was still alive. Yes, an alive woman was cut apart into pieces by the sharp saw, right from the middle of her body! It’s impossible to imagine her pain, agony and cries that she must have undergone during the unthinkable ordeal.

PRESENT

With his tearful eyes and heartbroken face, Sanjay looked at the face of Varshini and her father, who are stunned and extremely shocked upon hearing his terrible past.

“Just try visualizing it, if you can, even the 2012 Nirbaya case brutality wasn’t that worse.” Sanjay was completely broken and shattered, when he conveyed this to Varshini’s father. He added that, “The Human right activists, the courts and the governments didn’t respond to this gory killing and no arrests were made, nobody even was specifically named for this crime. The hyperactive omnipresent mainstream media didn’t broadcasted her story, as they do for crime against certain communities, for several years. No placards were written to seek justice for her, no protests, no outrage, zero zip nada! The only mentions his shameful atrocity received was on the websites displaying the stories of Kashmiri Genocide and in the book titled “Beyond Terrorism- A New Hope for Kashmir.”

Outraged with anger, Varshini’s father questioned: “A young women in her twenties, who worked as laboratory assistant, no connection to politics, was that such a crime to go through such a hateful brutality?” Wiping his tears, he continued: “Probably the only crime was that Brinda Tickoo was an Indian, a Kashmiri Pandit, a Hindu woman, so nobody sought justice for her or to see her culprits getting punished.”

Sanjay have no words to say. He finds it hard to convey. Yet, he managed to. He said that: “There were many similar cases in the Kashmir since 1989-1990, where the jihadi mob carrying not only the terrorists, but sometimes neighbors and colleagues of particular community came in large numbers shouting “Aazadi Aazadi” slogans outside Hindu homes, forced their entry inside and then raped Hindu woman and immediately shot down Hindu men, few others were so terrorized that they had to convert to Islam to save their lives and dignity of their woman and daughters.”

Since then valley became hotbed of terrorists and the once famed Heaven-on-Earth has turned into Hell of bloodshed and hatred for it’s original natives. Even after three decades, being a Kashmiri Pandit is still a crime in the Kashmir in 2020, as demonstrated by Jihadi terrorists organizations in the recent brutal murder of the Sarpanch Ajay Pandit just a few weeks ago.

PRESENT

At present, Sanjay is questioned by Varshini whether he became a terrorist because he was a victim of Jihadi to which, he refused and said: “No. If I became so, then what’s the difference between me and the hypocrite Jihadi.”

2011

I was a charismatic student during his days at Sriram College. I picked up an interest in dramatics and mimicry, with permissions granted by my grandfather. At 21, I performed at a national theatrical festival in Lucknow.

It was probably my mono-act in college, in which I played an Indian Army officer, who refused to divulge information to China, that caught the attention of intelligence officers. After completing my B.Com degree in 2013, I told my grandfather that I am heading to Delhi to start a new job. In actuality, I was about to commence my two-year training period with RAW of “The Black Tiger Force.” In between my training period, my grandpa died due to prolonging illness, which initially shattered me. But, I moved on with a sheer determination.

I was already fluent in Kashmiri and Punjabi language. The officials of “The Black Tiger Force” taught me Urdu, familiarized me with Islamic scriptures and gave me detailed lessons on Pakistan’s topography to aid an authentic transition into a “resident agent.” I also underwent a circumcision, a commonly recommended practice for males in the religious community.

All of my official Indian records were destroyed by “BTF”, when I headed to Pakistan with the name of Abdul Ahmed Shakir, a resident of Baltistan. After completing my LLB degree from Karachi University, I joined the Pakistani Army as a commissioned officer in it’s Military Accounts Department. I was later promoted to the rank of a Major.

Having received a well-respected position in Pakistan, I passed on confidential information to Indian defence officials between 2016 and 2018- regarding funds for terrorism organizations in Kashmir, the tortures suffered by Non-Muslims of Pakistan and the upcoming attacks of Pakistan Jihad organizations.

PRESENT

Now, Sanjay says: “In between this mission my secret identity of eight years fell apart. Syed, another undercover agent sent by RAW to get in touch with me accidentally revealed the true nature of my work during an interrogation by the Pakistani forces. I was imprisoned with him and subsequently managed to escape the prison with the help of another prisoner. But, eventually I lost my good Muslim friend.”

“Is this what lies in store for people who sacrifice their lives for a big country like India?” Varshini asked, feeling painful and pity for Sanjay.

He however says, “I damn care about it Varshini. Since, my sole purpose is to serve for the country.” When speaking, Sanjay noticed the photo of Varshini’s father somewhere near Lahore before few years. In shock mood, he took a glance at his face for a while.

Varshini have nothing to say. While, her father and brother breaks into tears. He says: “Yes. We are Pakistani Hindus, came as refugees from that nation. Our case is dreadful.”

2005

I am a Hindu, used to live in mithi,(Sindh-Pakistan), probably the only town in Pakistan with Hindu majority. It was 2005, my neighbor(my best Muslim friends) had their daughter’s wedding some time in December. Knowing the pitiful condition of non-Islamic people in Pakistan, I decided against taking my kids to the function.

I myself wouldn’t have gone had it not been for their special request. I along with my wife went to the party, being the outcast. No-one really bothered talking to us, we saw their ritual being performed, gave gifts to bride and groom, after having our dinner we decided to get back early. Because Varshini had her exams next day.

While we were walking back to the garage in the basement, all of a sudden someone put a strong rope round my neck, trying to suffocate me. With such sudden attack I couldn’t keep up neither see who they were. I fainted, once I was awake I found myself lying in some desert area with nothing in vision. I felt immense pain, as if having been beaten. I could not stand up that entire day, struggled to walk by the dawn, somehow reached nearby highway by next morning and managed to get a lift. I reached my home that evening, only to find all my belongings robbed, even the plastic chairs and TV set were gone, my children had been beaten too.

I could not find my wife there. I reached out to my neighbors, but most of them had gone to pay visit to their wedding counterparts unaware of what happened to us. I went to the police station to file a complain against the attack and disappearance of my wife. They didn’t seem too interested in filing complain, they asked me to wait for a few days, made abusive comments on my wife that she might have fled with her lover and having pleasure with him. I fought for her dignity which only led to being jailed for that whole night.

PRESENT

A shocked Sanjay feels emotional and gets shattered. While Varshini continued: “We came as a refugee to India in 2008. I was 16 years old at that point of time. My brother was in college. Life went back to normal. We would never go back to Pakistan ever.”

Varshini’s elder brother too said the same quoting that- “Pakistan is a country divided by religion, politician and terrorism.”

“So, all are bad. Am I right?” An angry Sanjay asked to which, he replied: “Not all of them are bad. Our neighbors were the best thing that could have happened to us. They made our fight their own while they were with us. We wanted to meet them before leaving Pakistan, but could not.”

Sanjay consoled them and says, “They don’t have to worry here after.” Additionally he quoted that: “There are countries like Turkey, Indonesia among several others living in peace and harmony. These are minority Islamic extremist groups in Pakistan, who do notorious stuffs in the name of religion.” A few days later, Sanjay met his senior officer in RAW office. He reported the death of Syedrian and said: “Sir. Here are the evidences of Pakistan terrorist organizations. The funds are coming from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan to the JKLF.” He further pointed down that: “The illegal funds are black-money of politicians. It’s taken and collected by Yasim for terrorism activities.” Several other evidences really shocks the RAW Agent. They further hear the Wahhabism spread in Kerala.

The news matches with the recent Jinnah note found in Thiruvananthapuram of Kerala. The Director of RAW submitted these reports to the Prime Minister office, which reached the table of Prime Minister. Though the government removed Article 370 and Special constitution for Kashmir, they still have to do more. After some discussions in the parliament, the Central government blocked the illegal funds for terrorists and anti-nationals, which irks their wrath and anger.

While, Sanjay spends some qualitative time with Varshini. They goes for Kashmir valley, Ladakh, Gangotri Glacier and finally Yamunotri Glacier. He teaches her about the importance of spirituality and confidence when going for that trip. Slowly, Varshini evoked her hope and crushed her fears coming in contact with the nature and beautiful environment.

In the Yamunotri glacier, Varshini proposed her love to Sanjay: “Hey Sanjay. I have found the one whom my soul loves.”

“Who’s that soul?” asked Sanjay to which she replied: “It’s none other than you.” He is stunned initially and eventually reciprocated her love.

Back to the lodge nearby the Yamunotri glacier, Varshini said: “Sanjay. Come closer, until I no longer know where I end and you begin.” She expressed her desire to make love with him, to which he agreed.

 Sanjay touched her arm lightly. Holding her gaze, he leaned in a bit more. Touching her cheek, he said her that she’s beautiful. He kissed her softly on her lips without making it hard. He lingered and pulled away a little. She saw him and leaned in. Kissing her again, Sanjay lets his lips linger. He holds her by the waist after pulling her closer. He didn’t force the touch. It came naturally. She came closer to him and he noticed her body language.

And then he noticed how she moves. He holds her in his arms; gently. Trailing a finger down her back, he felt the fabric of her dress on his skin. Running his fingers through her hair, he trailed a finger along her jawline and holds the chin up to yours.

Taking her by the hand, he lights a fire—in the room and in her. Taking his own time, he lingered and kissed her more passionately, now. Slowly he removed her dress, like sculpting a statue; like teaching her to break free. He noticed how her body shifts right into his arms. She unbuttoned his shirts. She took take her time to do it. While, Sanjay never stop kissing her. He lingered on her lips, taking her hands in him and lets his fingers entwine.

Sanjay gently stroke the nape of her neck. He gently kissed Varshini’s neck. He carried her in his arms and lead her to the bedroom. He let her down on his bed and admires her in that moment. With every move and every touch, he never left her eyes or her lips.

Varshini slept beneath the spine of Sanjay. She says: “You know? Sex is a part of love. You shouldn’t go around doing it unless you are in love.”

He smiled and said: “Life is a flower of which love is the honey Varshini.” When they were about to sleep, Sanjay gets a call from BTF Secretary in Research and Analysis Wing.

“Yes sir. Sanjay speaking.”

“Sanjay. An important news. Indian Army and CRPF have arrested JKLF members including Yasim. The lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir was removed just now.” He further added that, “Kashmir would be declared as safer zone for Pandits. Since, the government is taking right measures.”

Pausing for a while, his BTF secretary said: “One important information for you Sanjay. Waiting. Like it or not, it’s a skill all spies have to master eventually.”

Without revealing anything to a smiling Varshini, Sanjay looked the messages of his phone. The BTF secretary had asked him: “Are you ready to take on a new mission?”

Sanjay messaged him stating: “Sir. Good neighbors always spy on you to make sure you are doing well. I think you know this well.” Indicating that, he is already ready to take on a new mission. After wearing his dress, Sanjay and Varshini goes in their car to Delhi Airport. While going, Sanjay said through a coded phrase to Varshini: “Varshu. Don’t mention your move before you make a move.” Indicating that, she should be very careful along with her family members.