‘The IMA is an officers’ training academy that churns out future military leaders; it is the cradle from where their so-called legendary military leaders, the former army chiefs Sam Manekshaw, K.S. Cariappa and K.S. Thimayya, graduated. Also, the end of the training course is marked by a grand Passing Out Parade, and India’s President, Prime Minister and chiefs of the armed forces often participate in this spectacle. So it is the perfect target to hit – attacking it will be like striking at the very heart of India,’ Al-Wali explained.

‘Brilliant,’ said Babar softly. ‘But it won’t be easy.’

‘No, it won’t,’ Al-Wali agreed. ‘There is water-tight security in place both inside and outside the campus in view of the latest terror threat emanating from us. And in any case, we have had our eyes on Dehradun for a long time due to the other strategic establishments there, including the Ordnance Factory and the Western India Petroleum Research Institute. Paramilitary organizations such as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Central Reserve Police Force also have their barracks near IMA.

‘We will be riding headlong into a fortress, into the jaws of death. But that is what the Lashkar mujahideen do, for their love of the ummah. It will be a suicide mission though, Babar, I am sure you will come up with a robust escape plan,’ Al-Wali said, turning to him.

Babar smiled and nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

‘Babar, Imran, you will bring four mujahideen from Bayt al-Mujahideen. The weapons for them are stashed here. Imran, you have to make arrangements to accommodate the mujahideen in Dehradun and hand over the weapons,’ Al-Wali said.

At the mention of Imran, Babar narrowed his eyes and stared at Atharv, then looked at Al-Wali. Al-Wali met Babar’s gaze but did not flinch. Atharv looked back at Babar coolly.

‘Stick to PCOs and the email mode of communication,’ Al-Wali said, adding, ‘For any immediate decision, Imran, you will take orders from Babar. Do not wait for me and lose critical time.

‘Our objective will be to inflict as much harm as possible; preferably target men of high rank and of the Indian Army. Storm into their fortress, blast your way in and, if you manage to go deep, throw grenades and IEDs at the IMA museum. It will please our ISI contacts,’ Al-Wali said.

He paused and looked at the two men, who looked a little confused at the mention of the museum. ‘What is the worth of the museum? Should the mujahideen not focus instead on killing as many as possible in the IMA campus, you two must be wondering, isn’t it?’ Al-Wali asked.

Babar and Atharv remained silent. Both knew they were not supposed to question or argue with their commanders, nor could they speak out of turn.

‘That red brick building has two prized historic artifacts that the Indians make sure to show off to important foreign dignitaries,’ Al-Wali said, his voice hard.