When Rashid landed in this middle of middle of nowhere - he knew he is at his own. Local pollice were told of his arrival and welcome party was ready. His objectives was clear - infiltrate the local Mujahideens. In his brief Haneef had categorically stated - if team kills a few cops, its ok, after all they were official deserters, and if police killed them,b hey will always remain deserters.
Much has happened after their staged mutiny in Tank, his for member team was dead, Police had sharp shooters and local informers. He, a respected commando was now a wanted man in his own country.
Like Haneef had promised the drama was taking real life toll. He had blwn apart 2 police posts in last 48 Hrs, 13 cops were dead. The ensuing which hunt had claimed his all 4 men
what a waste...
He was still waiting for his all important contact with the rebels. The local media was already celebrating him as a hero, the rumours were all around him. No one new his face - for Rashid wanted a hype before releasing his pictures...
He still had to blow apart an arms depot - which off course had loads of very flashy, very loud and very useless explosive.
The depot was just 12 miles from his lodge, and his own home, his village, his sister just 15 miles. May be Haneef had missed the point in his file, as a standard procedure you never commit a soldier in a covert war in his own locality.
May be Haneef had plans for him too. It was soo easy to trust men in uniform, the guys from ISI cannot be trusted. Never. He was all by himself, and now he had to take care of himself too.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
2200 PST, Aug 3,2007, Chaklala Airbase, Rawalpindi
It was huge, and Rashid loved it because it was huge. It was a Hercules, C-130. Rashid just loved para jumps from this monster, it made his heart beat faster, he can feel his reflexes improve. The excitement of going on a mission was just building up.
As he started to pick up his baggage from the truck a land rover drove in between him and the aircraft. It was Maj Khan and along with a smartly dressed stranger.
Rashid immediately saluted and stood in attention posture.
"At ease lieutenant", said Major, climbing down from his vehicle, " I wanted you to meet Mr. Haneeef, you will be working very closely with him, doing his bid to the each letter". Rasheed was bit uncomfortable, - Mr Haneef??? no rank, no sir name only a name and I am supposed to report ti him???
"Mr Haneef is an expert on the region and the infidels you will be dealing with" ;
No doubt he is from Intelligence - ISI most likely, those sons of Satan are the only ones who know mujahideen well and are the only ones who can change mujahideen from 'gods own' to infidels to suite their master Americans;
"All the the very best of officer, we know that o completion of this assignment another medal will be waiting for you"
SO there will be present for me to kill my own brothers - who like me believe in Allah and who like me believe in fighting for his cause - but i should not question it, i have already sold my soul to the devil, i will do whatever my commanders will make me do, and they will do whatever American infiedels will make them do.
"I have heard very high of you officer" said Haneef in a rather boyish voice, " its assignment like these that make you rise in life and career"
So the incentives to defy Allah's will are infinite
Haneef continued, "you see Rashid you and your men should understand from day one - we are going to fight those who defy Islamabad's will - the traitors visualise their heaven at the cost on our dear nation."
"In today's world Islam is not a nation- Pakistan is - and it is the only hope to establish Islam as the only nation in the world. Those who oppose Pakistan oppose allah, these fools don't understand that by killing Chinese and American they help Indian's plan for end to Pakistan like what they did to East in 1971"
"Only an army that is ready should fight - at a ground of its own choosing - time for Allah's army to fight it out has not come yet- and if these Mujahideen do not stop fighting this unwarranted war inside our home - this time will never come - so its imperative that these foolish terrorists be stopped"
Rashid was taken aback by this speech - he never expected some thing so close to his thoughts, still standing straight he mustered all enthusiasm he could and replied " Sir, the orders will be followed to the letter, and enemy will be annihilated"
"Ameen" said Major khan in a war cry.
0800 PST Jul 30 Rawalpindi Cantonment
It was a good rest - Major Khan had been most helpful in sorting out his belives, he was recommended for Tamgha-i-Jurat, for all he had done inside the Mosque. Just having his breakfast, he recived a summon to the camp office.
"Sgt Rashid, in honor of the services you rendered at Red Mosque you are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant...", announced Maj. Khan.
His own command, Rashid always wanted that - his own command and a commision from President, its what he always dreamed about.
"... Pack your bags officer, you are being assigned as a crack team to Nothern Light Infantry, enemy activity has picked up in and..."
Rashid had no doubt it was the Hindu infideals in Kashmir, he will have something to payback for the Kargil Martyrs
"...you will shortly be shifted to the base camp in Tank", Major completed
He was in shock - there was no enemy in Tank. They were brothers - brother in arms. They were all pakistanies and above all - they were all Muslims. Were these people calling the devout muslims of rocky west as Infiedels?
Then a thought dawned to him - Lal Masjid was not the end, just the beiginning - now he is expected to lead his pack of commandos and kill whoever American Godfathers wished to be dead. He was not Leutinenant, he was just promoted to being a mercinary in a war that was not his and it was a war werein he he could see he would loose everything.
" Any questions ?", Thundered the proud Major.
" None sir " - he just wished if he could ask - how will he recognise his enemy.
" Dismissed" - Rashid saluted in the continued tradition of British Royal Indian Army
As he moved towards his barraks his mind went drifting in time and space in Gilgit
" The poor Hindu soldier didnt knew who fired at him" - joked Subedar Fahim
laughing harder Rashid replied " Thats the best part of this war - the soldiers wear uniform, to let us do a target practice on their heads"
But that was long ago - everything before Opration Silence was long ago - he knew soon he would be wearing a uniform and face people who would laugh his death at an evening drink.
Sitting on his bed, thinking of the little girl from Lal masjid, he closed his eyes
"Ya khuda, madad kar"
"Sgt Rashid, in honor of the services you rendered at Red Mosque you are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant...", announced Maj. Khan.
His own command, Rashid always wanted that - his own command and a commision from President, its what he always dreamed about.
"... Pack your bags officer, you are being assigned as a crack team to Nothern Light Infantry, enemy activity has picked up in and..."
Rashid had no doubt it was the Hindu infideals in Kashmir, he will have something to payback for the Kargil Martyrs
"...you will shortly be shifted to the base camp in Tank", Major completed
He was in shock - there was no enemy in Tank. They were brothers - brother in arms. They were all pakistanies and above all - they were all Muslims. Were these people calling the devout muslims of rocky west as Infiedels?
Then a thought dawned to him - Lal Masjid was not the end, just the beiginning - now he is expected to lead his pack of commandos and kill whoever American Godfathers wished to be dead. He was not Leutinenant, he was just promoted to being a mercinary in a war that was not his and it was a war werein he he could see he would loose everything.
" Any questions ?", Thundered the proud Major.
" None sir " - he just wished if he could ask - how will he recognise his enemy.
" Dismissed" - Rashid saluted in the continued tradition of British Royal Indian Army
As he moved towards his barraks his mind went drifting in time and space in Gilgit
" The poor Hindu soldier didnt knew who fired at him" - joked Subedar Fahim
laughing harder Rashid replied " Thats the best part of this war - the soldiers wear uniform, to let us do a target practice on their heads"
But that was long ago - everything before Opration Silence was long ago - he knew soon he would be wearing a uniform and face people who would laugh his death at an evening drink.
Sitting on his bed, thinking of the little girl from Lal masjid, he closed his eyes
"Ya khuda, madad kar"
Thursday, July 19, 2007
1600 PST July 23 Cantonment Rawalpindi
" Its been more than week Rashid - do not make me think that you have gone crazy, now stop acting as though you have killed someone the veryfirst time, its your job - and you did it well all infiedels are dead, Lal Masjid is wraped in silence. Or has the Pathan blood in you has betrayed your ancestors?", roared Major Khan.
Rashid, was still in a trauma ward , sedated to help him not kill himself - something he tried 3 times since Operation Silence. All he shouted was for forgiveness. He closed his eyes only to see the dead girl smiling at him, mocking at his uniform.
then suddenly he could hear his all repected commander shouting at him in anger. The impulse to stand and salute overcame the bonds of drip. Suddenly the pain was gone. In front of him was the fierce baloch - Major AKram Khan, whose mere mention meant the message from Allah, may ne he was a part of Allah since no one seen him prey to one.
His legs trembeled with the induced unconciousness from the sedatives but his posture was straight. One time when he looked at those eyes - they were raining fire at Kabul, to evacuate his men from the clutches of revengeful Northern Allaiance. Then a shot was fired aiming at major but before the bullt could reach Major, a Seargent Rashid had pulled himself in between.
Ever since Major treated him like his god son, personally training him, and supervising his growth. Then 18 months ago Major had disappered, most likely at ISI's behest, but that was history, the present was that he, a defeated soul was standing before a great son of allah who never knew defeat. The urge to fight back was charging his body.
The major smiled - "report to mess for dinner, I shall hear what troubled you"
and he was gone.
Rashid, was still in a trauma ward , sedated to help him not kill himself - something he tried 3 times since Operation Silence. All he shouted was for forgiveness. He closed his eyes only to see the dead girl smiling at him, mocking at his uniform.
then suddenly he could hear his all repected commander shouting at him in anger. The impulse to stand and salute overcame the bonds of drip. Suddenly the pain was gone. In front of him was the fierce baloch - Major AKram Khan, whose mere mention meant the message from Allah, may ne he was a part of Allah since no one seen him prey to one.
His legs trembeled with the induced unconciousness from the sedatives but his posture was straight. One time when he looked at those eyes - they were raining fire at Kabul, to evacuate his men from the clutches of revengeful Northern Allaiance. Then a shot was fired aiming at major but before the bullt could reach Major, a Seargent Rashid had pulled himself in between.
Ever since Major treated him like his god son, personally training him, and supervising his growth. Then 18 months ago Major had disappered, most likely at ISI's behest, but that was history, the present was that he, a defeated soul was standing before a great son of allah who never knew defeat. The urge to fight back was charging his body.
The major smiled - "report to mess for dinner, I shall hear what troubled you"
and he was gone.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
0700 PST Jul 10, Lal Masjid Islamabad
She was just lying there - no older than his own sister, she lay in there . No movement of any body part, no warmth of life, in fact the smoke blackened face was having a little smile, as though mocking all those who lived in there.
Seargent Malik, Rashid - a battle hardened vetran from Afganistan and Occupied Kashmir had never killed a girl or a child, that is untill today. Today he fired at anything that moved, the poor 12 year old was rushing to try and save her aapa jaan, and in a single shot Rashid killed all three - a women, a child and his faith.
Petrified he kept staring what he had done. He almost forgot that the enemy was still aiming at him. Another volley of kalasnikovs was getting loaded. But he, whoe always killed 'enemies' was now a killer of a 12 year old.
It was his bullet that had tore apart an innocent chest. It was he who had defied allah. Inside a mosque he just killed someone who should have lived.
He knew Allah will never forgive him, and all he could do was to repent a moment later - when the operation was over. For before anything it was his duty. Seargent Rashid Malik, Zarrar Company, 3rd rahbar Battalion, SSG had a job to finish.
He ducked as the volley passed over him. Then as the Ranger units started giving cover he rolled over to the door behind the girls body. Till the end of operation his orders were his faith. Allah will come but before that he must take control of his mosque
Seargent Malik, Rashid - a battle hardened vetran from Afganistan and Occupied Kashmir had never killed a girl or a child, that is untill today. Today he fired at anything that moved, the poor 12 year old was rushing to try and save her aapa jaan, and in a single shot Rashid killed all three - a women, a child and his faith.
Petrified he kept staring what he had done. He almost forgot that the enemy was still aiming at him. Another volley of kalasnikovs was getting loaded. But he, whoe always killed 'enemies' was now a killer of a 12 year old.
It was his bullet that had tore apart an innocent chest. It was he who had defied allah. Inside a mosque he just killed someone who should have lived.
He knew Allah will never forgive him, and all he could do was to repent a moment later - when the operation was over. For before anything it was his duty. Seargent Rashid Malik, Zarrar Company, 3rd rahbar Battalion, SSG had a job to finish.
He ducked as the volley passed over him. Then as the Ranger units started giving cover he rolled over to the door behind the girls body. Till the end of operation his orders were his faith. Allah will come but before that he must take control of his mosque
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