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"
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