Raina SM - Unholy Jihad: A True Story from Kashmir

UNHOLY JIHAD

A True Story from Kashmir

Colonel Ajay K Raina, SM

Sabre & Quill

Published by

Sabre & Quill Publishers

New Delhi, India

www.sabreandquill.com

Copyright 2022

Col Ajay K Raina, SM

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First Published in India in January 2022

First Reprint (Library Edition) February 2022

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Dedicated

To you,

The Aborigines-in-exile of a Paradise called Kashmir

This work is based on the true story of a terrorist, Ghulam Nabi Jaan, from Tral in Kashmir. All other characters involved in field operations being conducted by Pakistans ISI, too, did exist. However, creative liberty has been taken to make the story readable and convey the moot point about Mullah-Masjid-Misguided minds situation in the Kashmir Province of Jammu and Kashmir.

Colloquial Terms/Abbreviations Used in this Book

Ammi - Mother

Abba/Abbu - Father

Beta/Beti - Son/Daughter

Bhai/Bhaijaan - Brother

Bhabhi/Bhabhi Jaan - Brothers wife

CO - Commanding Officer

Foofi - Fathers sister

IED - Improvised Explosive Device

Jihad - Holy war/struggle towards self-betterment

as per Islamic belief

Namaaz - Islamic prayers

Masjid - Muslim place of worship

Reham - Mercy

InshaAllah - God willing

Khrew, Kashmir; circa 1994

tak. tak-tak!

The clatter of a burst marks the short but brisk travel of three imperceptible bullets from an AK-47s muzzle to the hapless target. The range is too short and target so out of balance to react that even a blindfolded pull on the trigger would have fetched the similar, if not the same, results. As the shrill goes anonymous, a hairless head dips to one side, and the body collapses under the weight of a soulless form. In the far corner, a muffled mouth suddenly goes dry and tears roll down the cheeks, wetting an already cold face. A noiseless moan gets lost under a heavy thud as the door closes behind the unsolicited visitors who are now on their way out!

Tral-Khrew and adjoining areas

Kupwara-Baramulla-Muzaffarabad area

ONE

Islamabad, Pakistan (September, 1978)

The big conference hall in the Joint intelligence Bureau (JIB) of the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI HQ) in Islamabad, Pakistan, evinces a humble appearance. Everything here is very rudimentary to look at. It certainly has a large, oval plywood table that can accommodate up to two dozen personnel seated on the wicker chairs around it, but the table looks rough and crude. Chairs surround the table along three fourth of the length of the table. Some additional chairs have been set to the rear, along the walls of the rectangular form. What adds to the feeling of desolation on this side of the entrance door is the sombre look and dust on the curtains; the latter also indicative of a lack of usual activity here or lack of regular maintenance, or both. On its main wall is a map of India affixed on a panel that can be slipped into a chamber in the wall, making way for other maps that stand fastened on other boards one behind another, waiting for their turn inside the hidden chamber. On the opposite wall, just above the main chair, hangs a quote that reads,

Whatever the legal position might be, Pakistan cannot afford to allow India in J&K because Indian presence in Kashmir will give her control over waterworks of Chenab, Jhelum and Indus and will allow India to ferment trouble in Pathanistan as also establish close contact with the Russians.

Maj Gen Sir WJ Cawthorn, CB, CIE, CBE, Deputy Chief of Army and First Chief of ISI (1948-1959)-An Australian born friend of Pakistan from the British Army. May Allah Bless Him!

This hall did not exist at that time, i.e., when the Melbournian had been the boss of ISI. This HQ, too, didnt exist in the present form at that time either. But today, there is a good amount of activity in and around here. Some cleaning was done today in the morning though curtains and window panes have been left untouched. Someone has placed a glass full of water on the table in front of the main chair. There are many men seated and standing around, talking in low voices. And then there is a sudden shush. Here comes the man!

Good morning, gentlemen, the bald General has a loud and clear voice a quality that undoubtedly differentiates him from his peer in similar business all over the world. General Ghulam Jilani Khan, the present head of ISI, has just entered the room, pushing the space into a stunned hush before breaking the silence with his thunderous tone of voice. He has handpicked Brig Asif Rehman to head JIB just a week ago.

Most of you know the reason why I am here at the JIB, the most beloved child within the family of the ISI. A new chapter is about to begin, and I want you all, including the best man available for the job, Brig Asif Rehman, to understand what this is all about.

ISI has been through a long journey since our raising. We have been employed in many roles that if I may say so reflected the confusion in the planners' minds. Because of such confusion and because of focus at the wrong place at the wrong time, we could not contribute meaningfully during the 1965 and 1971 wars. To some political bosses, such performance was an excuse big enough to sideline us and ignore us for more than half a decade after 71s debacle. Due to their ennui, they simply ignored our stellar role in crushing Baluchis during their repeated rebellions. We have been treated as pests for long so long for a time that change is now due! 1978 brings a new dawn for all of us!

The General looks towards a young Captain who has been sitting quietly on a chair next to the wall. He is his Staff Officer from Generals parent unit, 10 Baluch. The youngster gets up and pushes the panel, with a map of India, into the recess in the wall. Another map comes into view. It is a blown-up map of north India with states of J&K and Punjab shaded in different colours to make those areas stand out from the rest. The map shows Pakistan in plain colours and Afghanistan in a different shade.