‘There is a shop that sells props for film and theatre productions. I will get a dummy red beacon from there, but of course it won’t work,’ Rohit said.

‘That is all right, brother. The siren is not required actually. It will only attract more attention. A red beacon is just to intimidate the policemen who are on duty at the barricades,’ Babar said.

‘Our three brothers who have come from Pakistan will lead the assault on the BVP headquarters. Let’s check the place out again tomorrow, Rohit,’ Babar said. ‘I will also get the weapons tomorrow.’

Rohit nodded.

‘Now note down the codes for this operation. The attack will be known as “match”, targets are “wickets”, fidayeen are “bowlers”, weapons are “bat”, the one who gets the weapons is the “batsman”, the one who gets the fidayeen from Pakistan to Pune is the “captain”, reconnaissance is “net practice”, danger is “baarish”, Maharashtra ATCS and police are “umpire”, Bangladesh is “mama ghar”, bus is “aaram se”, train is “maje se”, bag is “kit”, Delhi is “chachi ka ghar”, Pakistan is “dadihaal”, Raxaul is “cousin”, Patna is “teacher”, Kathmandu is “dost”, Mumbai is “Stylebhai”, Abu Dhabi is “Prakash”, Nepal is “Ravi’s house”, flight is “bike”, and Abu-Muzammil is “ghar ki baat”,’ Babar rattled off.

Rohit smiled. ‘So much of cricket. These words remind me of the times spent on the cricket grounds during school and college.’

‘Match pe nazar rakho.’ Babar smiled back.

‘Sahil, aren’t you a computer professional?’ Babar asked.

‘Yes, sir,’ Sahil said.

‘Please see if you can get copies online of police IDs, even if inferior copies. Here are the copies of the passports of the three Pakistani brothers who came with me. See if you can make police IDs for them,’ Babar said.

‘I will try, janaab.’

After meeting with Rohit and Sahil, Babar went to a PCO in Baner to make a call to Abu Dhabi. The call was made to a 5,000-square-foot villa in Al Bateen Park on King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street. The villa had been an LeT safehouse for the past decade and was under the control of operatives of Abu-Muzammil’s setup.

‘Irshad bhai, as-salaam-alaikum, Babar this side,’ Babar said.

‘Wa-alaikum-salaam, Babar bhai, please wait for a minute,’ Irshad said and connected the call to Abu-Muzammil’s number in Rawalpindi.

‘Babar here, salaam. Batsman kab aayenge?’ he asked, enquiring about the delivery of AK-47s, grenades and other weapons for the fidayeen.

‘Go to the Namaste India Lodge at Swargate. Go to room number 107, you will meet Shafiq there. The bats for the match are kept there. Bowlers thik hain?’

‘Yes, janaab. They are enjoying themselves but preparing hard. The match is a few days away and their only focus currently is the match,’ Babar said.

‘Umpires were seen?’

‘They are sleeping and will come after the match,’ Babar laughed.

Abu-Muzammil joined him.

‘How did you get the bats? Are they in good shape?’ Babar asked.