‘Consider it done. When should I take the room on rent?’

‘From 15 March. The five brothers will arrive on the seventeenth. Pay the landlord half now and half later. But if he insists, pay him in full, that’s okay. You’ll need money. I will send Rs 5 lakh via Western Union. Send Nirav tomorrow to the Western Union kiosk at Zaveri Bazaar with his ID papers.’

‘Done, I will update you tomorrow morning.’

‘Leave for Kundan Sansthan, Naigaon. You were taught to conduct reconnaissance here, so use those skills there. Find out how secure the campus entrances are and the best ways to gain entry. Don’t get caught.’

‘Call me tomorrow, brother, with the details,’ Al-Wali said and hung up.

Al-Wali is planning something big and ghastly at Kundan Sansthan, CTC must be told about it at once, Anant thought to himself as he dialled Somaiya’s landline minutes after talking to Al-Wali.

Anant repeated the conversation he had had with Al-Wali to Somaiya, word for word.

‘What are you saying, Anant? Those LeT bastards are planning to unleash another operation in Mumbai?’

‘Yes, that is what it sounds like. Atharv is unwell, so Nirav and I will have to carry out Al-Wali’s orders.’

‘Fine. Also, I must alert you – Al-Wali is also known as Junaid to some of the recruits.’

‘Okay. As Al-Wali – or Junaid – wants me to rent the room for the five brothers from 15 March for a fortnight, whatever grand attack they are planning will happen between 15 and 30 March.’

‘Yes, that makes sense. Keep your eyes and ears open to find out whatever else you can. Did Al-Wali drop any hint whatsoever regarding what or who the target is this time?’

‘Yes, some Kundan Sansthan in Naigaon is the target, where the fidayeen will storm in with heavy weaponry, it seems. I am yet to find out who will get targeted at Kundan Sansthan. I am going there now to conduct a reconnaissance as I have to report about the security arrangements to Al-Wali tomorrow.’

‘Oh! What did you say, Anant? Kundan Sansthan, Naigaon? Isn’t that the name of the BVP facility where the Gujarat CM and the BVP chief are scheduled to attend a function on 25 March? I read the news this morning!’

He added, ‘Don’t worry, keep up the good work. You may again save the precious lives of our countrymen, like the three times in the past. And, of course, give an inaccurate report to Al-Wali; do not identify the gaps in the security at the Naigaon campus. From Mumbai’s northern city limits – that is the Dahisar toll plaza – Naigaon is some 20 kilometres away. ’

‘Yes, sir. Let’s smash the LeT project again,’ said Anant.

‘Let’s do that,’ replied Somaiya.

At Himalayan Paradise, there was everything but mutton or chicken for Babar. The daily provisions were yet to arrive for the modest two-star hotel located on Jain Bazaar Road near Peer Mitha Bazaar in Jammu.