‘Boys, you are inching towards the starting line. Right now, like runners, you need to stretch one last time before the pistol is fired to mark the beginning of the race. That is why you are going through last-minute preparations. Do you have any questions or doubts you want to share?’ Shekhar asked the recruits.

‘No, it has been quite clear. We know the aim of our mission and you have prepared us for it,’ Nirav replied.

The other four recruits nodded.

‘Good,’ Shekhar said. Then he called out, ‘Milind, come in!’

A stranger stepped into the hall. He was six feet tall with an athletic build. A black cotton scarf covered his face. His eyes were hidden behind black Ray-Ban sunglasses. Clearly, Milind was too important to reveal his identity, even to CTC trainees.

‘Milind is a seasoned intelligence operative,’ Shekhar introduced the CTC officer. ‘He has the experience to teach others, like you.’

‘Is Milind his real name?’ Atharv popped a query at the visitor.

‘Milind is not his real name, only a functional name for today’s session. He is here to teach you some basic counter-surveillance and intelligence techniques. When you are launched, or, in other words, made operational, your every move, every action will be crucial for the success of the mission. So, it will be necessary to know and ensure that you are safe and “clean” and are not being followed by LeT and ISI spies. How do we do this? I’ll let Milind tell you,’ Shekhar said and sat down.

‘So, how do intelligence professionals ensure that they are not caught? And, at the same time, they also achieve their targets while working under the gaze of unfriendly or enemy entities?’ Atharv’s question was directed towards Milind this time.

‘Hello, boys! Thanks for asking, Atharv. Let me begin with the basics of the world you are going to enter. In the world of intelligence operatives, there is no such thing as too much security nor is there space for complacence. You need to be alert and vigilant, always. But you should not make your vigilance obvious,’ Milind began.

‘In a secret mission like yours, you can’t afford to be foolish and get caught. That will put the mission and your life in peril,’ he warned the boys.

‘So, tell us, what will you do if you have to perform an important task? Like if you have to meet somebody in Karachi to collect something important or pass on crucial information?’ It was Rohit’s turn to ask Milind.