‘The group will be felicitated by the chief minister of Gujarat, Ramkrushna Solanki, who has long been our target number one. BVP chief Dattatrey Shirke will be on the dais too and so will ministers from Maharashtra and Gujarat. This is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss,’ Abu-Muzammil said.

Abu-Lakhvi felt a rush of excitement. ‘It is the perfect opportunity to get some of our top targets. Imagine the sensation it will create among members of our community in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan if we manage to hit Solanki and Shirke. It will mean more recruits, support and funds for our war to liberate Kashmir from India’s stranglehold,’ he said gleefully.

‘So, what is the plan?’ he asked, turning to Abu-Muzammil.

The meeting continued for several hours, during which Abu-Muzammil laid out the entire plan in minute detail.

Al-Wali and Babar, it was decided, would assist Abu-Muzammil. They would rope in two sleeper modules in India, the one in Mumbai led by Atharv and the one in Delhi led by Rohit, as per the plan presented in the meeting.

After the meeting, Abu-Lakhvi called up his ISI handler and updated him about the meeting’s deliberations. The ISI handler, a lieutenant general in the Pakistani army, Farooq Shah, told Abu-Lakhvi, ‘Make sure you do not screw up this action like the IMA and Pune projects.’

‘Not at all, janaab. It will all go well.’

‘Get verifications done on your own; find out if you have moles inside your tanzeem. Use men who report only to you. And update me on this regularly.’

53. GUNNING FOR THE CM

53

GUNNING FOR THE CM

‘Good morning, janaab. Anant here.’

As directed by his LeT handlers, Anant was making the mandatory weekly call to his immediate commander, Al-Wali. Lashkar had devised such a protocol to monitor its agents in foreign lands and ‘behind enemy lines’, as it referred to India, to assign them tasks as part of ongoing operations and keep them motivated for jihad. Anant was at the Reay Road PCO that was used by Atharv to contact Al-Wali. It was around 10.30 a.m. on 14 March 2006.

‘Good morning, brother,’ said Al-Wali. ‘Where is Atharv?’

‘He is unwell, so he sent me to speak to you. He has typhoid.’

‘Oh, sorry to hear. May the Almighty keep him safe and grant him a speedy recovery. How are the classes going in Mumbai?’

‘Quite well, we are learning new things. I will convey your greetings to Atharv.’

‘I have some work for you. How big is your flat? Some more brothers will be coming to Mumbai for sightseeing; can they stay with you?’

‘Our flat is quite small, it can only accommodate three people. We are three already,’ said Anant.

‘Okay, then please arrange for a flat on rent for a fortnight. Make sure there is no CCTV on the premises. And it should have a garage big enough to accommodate a goods transport vehicle, like a minivan.’