Three hours later, the six men reached the Maaskar at the top of Abdulla Mountain. Sahil and the others were greeted by the sight of a large plateau, across which the camp was spread. Three men with AK-47s stood outside a nearby tent and asked to see the permits that Yusuf had given to Hussein for the five recruits.

The three guards frisked the five recruits after ordering them to throw any tobacco, cigarettes or narcotics they were carrying into a large red drum that had ‘Dustbin’ written on it in blue.

The six were thereafter taken to a tent where they were served a hot meal. Finally, at 1 a.m., after a frugal dinner comprising chicken curry, chapatis and dried dates, the five recruits crashed on to their beds, exhausted after what had been a long, tiring day.

‘Wake up, nikamme log!’ somebody shouted at the top of his voice, issuing commands like an army instructor. ‘Get up, get going, start running!’

Sahil felt a rough hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes, looked at his wristwatch and said, ‘At 3 a.m.?’ He was irritated. ‘Bhai sahib, we slept just an hour ago.’

‘Yes, 3 a.m., Badshah Suleiman. At 3 a.m. a poor man begins his search for food,’ the instructor said, pointing his torch at Sahil, aka Zafar.

‘Most importantly, at 3 a.m. the day begins for us, the soldiers of the qaum, and for the lakhs of Kashmiris who need our help,’ the man, who stood erect in his black jacket, declared.

‘At 3 a.m. the Indian Army troops begin their search-and-cordon operations in the Kashmir Valley and Muslim-dominated villages, keeping an eye out for our soldiers, our mujahideens. I don’t know how to tell you what can happen there during such operations,’ the man spat out. ‘You can’t be sleeping like a rock at 3 a.m. if our brothers and sisters are awake in Kashmir and suffering.’

He then introduced himself. ‘I am Mustafa; call me Ustaad ji. Now start running. Your day has just begun as a soldier of the community.’

37. RPGs AND DUCKING LIVE BULLETS

37

RPGs AND DUCKING LIVE BULLETS

At the physical training ground of Abdulla bin Masood Maaskar, Sahil and the four others from the CTC squad were inducted into a group of 100-strong trainees.

‘I am your Ustaad. I have no other name as far as you are concerned. Another Ustaad will join you later in the day for weapons training,’ the instructor said by way of introduction shortly after Sahil and the rest of the trainees had dragged themselves to the ground for what promised to be a long day.

‘I will teach you everything, from the best teachings of our elders, which will make you a worthy man, to karate and how to handle AK-47s. If you finish this course, the Daura-e-Aam, it means you have the strength and the heart to fight for justice and the community,’ the Ustaad said.