The Bareilly army cantonment is one of the oldest in the country and was set up by the British Indian army in 1811. The Jat regiment centre is located in Bareilly, a city that grew in prominence during the Mughal period and lies around 250 kilometres west of Delhi and roughly 115 kilometres south of the Indo-Nepal border check post of Bhimdatta.

‘Two major highways, the Bareilly highway and the Nainital highway, intersect in Bareilly at a place called Bilawa. I kept a watch on this intersection for a week, but I spotted only three small army convoys, which were under tight security,’ Janbaaz said.

‘I see. It is not a good or viable idea to target them then as we don’t know of a pattern of movement,’ Babar mused.

‘Yes, sir,’ Janbaaz agreed.

‘Do you have any other target in mind?’ Babar asked.

‘There is a group centre headquarters of the Central Reserve Police Force in Pilibhit that can be attacked instead. It would yield a good number of casualties,’ Janbaaz replied.

‘Where is it exactly?’ asked Babar.

‘Pilibhit lies around fifty kilometres north of Bareilly. It is also the same distance from the Bhimdatta check post. The headquarters is spread over sixty acres and lies on Yashwantri Mandir Marg adjoining the Yashwantri Lake.’

‘Okay. Have you carried out proper reconnaissance of the site?’ Babar asked.

‘Yes, sir,’ said Janbaaz.

‘And what did you learn? What is the best way to attack and when?’

‘At night. The guards have eight-hour shifts beginning at 3 a.m. At 2 a.m., the guards on duty will be tired after their seven-hour vigil. Those who have to replace them at 3 a.m. will still be drowsy at 2 a.m. and getting ready. Besides, the darkness will provide the two fidayeen cover to escape,’ said Janbaaz.

‘What would be the focus of the attack?’

‘They have to look at killing the maximum number of guards at the headquarters’ heavily guarded entrance. They must fire bursts from their AK-47s and they can lob as many hand grenades as possible,’ Janbaaz outlined the plan of attack.

‘After the attack, they should cross the road and take cover in the forested tract that runs parallel to Yashwantri Marg. They should drop their weapons, run eastward and take a bus or a cab to the Indo-Nepal border. They can cross the border at Banbasa–Bhimadatta and return to Kathmandu,’ added Sohrab.

Babar nodded. ‘So far, so good. Seems like a viable plan. The fidayeen are ready?’

‘Yes,’ confirmed Jaanbaaz.

‘How will they reach the CRPF headquarters?’

‘They will carry rucksacks that will have their guns and grenades, and will take a cab on Yashwantri Marg so as not to leave an obvious trail.’

‘Fine. Be ready. I will get the approval and the date of the attack from the bosses in Pakistan.’