‘You are a good Muslim!’ Al-Wali said. ‘But are you also skilled in carrying a gun or even a knife, fabricating an IED and shooting at an enemy? If not, I have no use for bookish, intellectual types here. It seems the Doctor erred in sending you here … I will have to talk to him about this.’ Al-Wali was stern.

‘Ji, janaab, I may not have done these things before but I have two other traits instead. I think I have it in me to attain proficiency in all of these functions if you train me well and, secondly, I have the burning desire to turn out as a loyal soldier of the community who will make all of you proud one day,’ Atharv offered. He knew he will have to impress Al-Wali with claims of having a strong commitment to LeT’s agenda against India to get inducted as he did not have any combat background to show. He was getting the sense that Al-Wali was a driven jihadist and was probing his commitment.

‘Do you know what is jihad?’ Al-Wali continued to question Atharv.

‘Our elders teach us how to submit ourselves for the good of humanity, how to become God-fearing, honourable persons and good Muslims. Jihad is the struggle to make oneself better and the fight to get justice and what is right. This is what I have understood,’ Atharv said.

‘Let me tell you something. Even a moment spent in jihad will get you more divine blessings than a million hours spent in namaz at the holy place. You will understand this one day,’ Al-Wali said.

‘Jaan doge kya yalgaar pe? The path on which we travel makes us put shrouds over our heads,’ Al-Wali said.

‘I want to offer my life, which is the goal. The spectacle of death is what that put me on this journey, sir. My life is not important. What is important is restoring the community’s respect and enhancing its prestige,’ Atharv declared.

‘You are a passionate young man. We need men like you,’ Al-Wali said approvingly while looking at Atharv unblinkingly.

‘Here, these are the forms that the five of you, the friends of the Doctor, have to fill up. You need to provide information on your immediate family, your friends and your educational qualifications.’

Al-Wali further added that the forms, once filled, would be handed over to Naseer Javed, who was in charge of training recruits and was a Kashmir veteran. Naseer had been deployed in Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir for six years and had had several encounters with Indian security forces.

‘Sure, we will fill them up,’ Atharv said.

Apart from Al-Wali and Atharv, in the room were Nirav, Anant, Rohit and Sahil. Rohit and Sahil stood a little apart from Atharv, Anant and Nirav.