All Lashkar handlers asked for lists from ground operatives. The ‘list’ was a reference to an operative’s own choice of targets.

‘Yes, sir,’ Rohit said.

‘Babar, what is this new terror outfit behind the blasts in Dashashwamedh Ghat, Shramjeevi Express, Sankat Mochan temple and Delhi’s Govindpuri and Sarojini Nagar?’ Abu-Lakhvi asked.

That Abu-Lakhvi had called him directly, instead of communicating through Al-Wali or Abu-Muzammil, alarmed Babar. Usually, Abu-Lakhvi’s instructions were relayed to him via Al-Wali, Abu-Muzammil or the latter’s aide, Ibrahim.

Abu-Lakhvi had used his satellite phone to call on Babar’s newly acquired satellite phone – which by then had become the preferred mode of communication globally for organized crime/narcotics/terror syndicates to avoid interception by government agencies. A month earlier, Abu-Muzammil had sent a Thuraya brand satellite phone set to Babar.

‘No idea, janaab. I thought it’s us or the Jaish-e-Mohammed,’ Babar said, surprised by the question.

Abu-Lakhvi then decided he would check with ISI’s Shah if it was the Pakistani spy agency that was running a newly spawned terror outfit on its own – if it had only Indian members to provide Pakistan the space to deny any link with the terror it was sponsoring in India. Shah confirmed to Abu-Lakhvi in a meeting they subsequently had that the latter’s suspicions were correct about the blasts in India having been orchestrated by a new ISI-run terror entity. But Shah did not part with any more details and instead warned Abu-Lakhvi against meddling in the spy agency’s affairs.

56. BREACHING THE BASTION

56

BREACHING THE BASTION

‘Three of your key operations bombed spectacularly two years ago, in 2006, costing the lives of our precious fidayeen and crores of rupees that went into the planning. They brought us infamy and ridicule, Babar, and that rankles the most. As our Nepal commander, you did perform with diligence and competence, I must say, though. You have helped us handle several sensitive operations that brought us success.

‘But, as far as individual operations are concerned, I hope you get back to your successful ways. The IIS&T attack must not be your last act of glory as a planner and organizer for Lashkar,’ the rasping voice with a thick Punjabi accent boomed. It was Abu-Lakhvi calling Babar directly again, and he was in full flow.

‘Listen carefully, Babar, here is your chance to redeem yourself. I am giving you an operation and the men and material required to pull it off. I am entrusting to you the charge of two Indian jihadis, Sohrab and Janbaaz Ansari, who are from the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh and have been with us for the past few years. These two are cousins and have done combat training with us in Pakistan – the Daura-e-Aam, the Daura-e-Khaas and even the advanced Daura-e-Ribat at Bayt al-Mujahideen,’ Abu-Lakhvi said.

‘Ji janaab, I am ready to do whatever is required,’ said Babar, relieved that he was not to be punished for his failures.