Scene 1: The Conclave at GHQ
Location: Rawalpindi – GHQ Operations Room | Date: January 5, 1963
A sharp wind rattled the windows of the top-floor briefing room inside Pakistan Army General Headquarters. Inside, warmth came not from the space heater humming in the corner but from the charged atmosphere.
Major Zubair Siddiqui stood next to a tall display board pinned with maps of Indian-held Kashmir, infiltrator routes drawn in red string, dotted with paper flags. Facing him were six high-ranking officers, including General Muhammad Musa and Brigadier Iqbal Sheikh from Military Intelligence.
"Gentlemen," Zubair began, pointing to the Muzaffarabad sector, "this is the primary insertion point. Infiltration teams, dressed as Kashmiri locals, will cross the Line of Control in staggered waves."
General Musa leaned forward. "How many men are we talking?"
"Approximately 5,000 in total," Zubair replied, "in 180 small groups. Objectives include disrupting communication, inciting rebellion, and creating the perception of a widespread Kashmiri uprising."
Brigadier Iqbal tapped the table. "And the Indian response?"
"We anticipate confusion initially. Their morale is still low after the China debacle. If we time it right, they won't see us coming."
General Musa nodded. "Proceed to Phase Two details."
Scene 2: Doctrine of Disguise
Location: SSG Training Center, Cherat | Date: January 22, 1963
Captain Haroon Khan, a battle-hardened officer, watched as a group of young recruits emerged from a stone hut, dressed in Kashmiri pherans and skullcaps, practicing dialects under local informants.
"You need to sound like you've lived in Sopore all your life," barked an instructor. "The accent, the rhythm, the phrases. Or you die."
Haroon turned to Colonel Faheem, visiting from Rawalpindi. "These boys are eager, but their lives will depend on the details."
Faheem nodded. "Intel confirms a network of sympathizers across Baramulla and Anantnag. We'll coordinate their support from Muzaffarabad."
Haroon's eyes narrowed. "And if the locals betray us?"
Faheem looked grim. "Then we'll be sending them to martyrdom."
Scene 3: Paper and Pressure
Location: Foreign Ministry, Islamabad | Date: February 3, 1963
A special cabinet meeting gathered in the foreign office. President Ayub Khan's chair remained empty, but Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto stood in his place.
"India is wounded but not blind," Bhutto said. "We must control the narrative. The world should believe this is a purely indigenous uprising."
Ambassador Salahuddin from the Beijing mission spoke. "The Chinese have signaled indirect support. They'll keep India occupied in the northeast border through logistical maneuvering."
Bhutto turned to Zubair. "You must ensure no fingerprints lead to us. No soldier must carry anything traceable."
Zubair gave a tight nod. "Even the boots are Kashmiri-made."
Scene 4: The Valley Beckons
Location: Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir | Date: February 14, 1963
The base near Neelum Valley buzzed with coded chatter. Snow blanketed the hills, but activity under the camouflage tarpaulins never slowed.
Captain Haroon gathered his team, now in final rehearsals. He pointed at a hand-drawn sketch. "We cross through this goat path above Chilhana. By the third night, we must be inside Kupwara. Our mission—take out the radio tower and disappear."
A young commando, Bilal, raised a hand. "What if we encounter patrols?"
Haroon answered calmly. "Engage only if necessary. You're not soldiers now—you're shadows."
As dusk fell, packs were loaded, prayers offered. A thick silence enveloped them—the quiet before the storm.
Scene 5: In the Shadows of Sopore
Location: Sopore, Indian-administered Kashmir | Date: February 21, 1963
Disguised in civilian clothes, Haroon's team moved through narrow alleys, mingling with crowds in a tense town under Indian surveillance. At the rendezvous, a middle-aged schoolteacher opened his door.
"You're late," the man whispered. "CRPF men were here yesterday."
Haroon whispered back, "We move tonight. Spread the word through the mosque radio. Say that the hour of freedom nears."
That night, the Indian telecom node in Sopore went dark. The first strike of Gibraltar had landed.
Scene 6: Red Dots on the Map
Location: Indian Army HQ, Srinagar | Date: February 23, 1963
Major General Harbhajan Singh peered at the situation map. "What do you mean Baramulla, Sopore, and Handwara went dark at the same time?"
A signal officer replied, "Local uprisings. But it's too coordinated. They're not just rebels, sir. These are trained infiltrators."
Singh slammed the desk. "We underestimated Pakistan. Mobilize 15 Corps. Alert New Delhi. This isn't rebellion—it's war in disguise."
Scene 7: Back in GHQ
Location: GHQ War Room, Rawalpindi | Date: February 25, 1963
Reports streamed in. Uprisings in Kashmir. Radio towers hit. Militia spotted in civilian garb.
Zubair placed pins on the board. "The plan is working. But intel says India is catching on. They're deploying airborne battalions."
General Musa grimaced. "We walk a knife's edge. If they retaliate, we must be prepared to escalate."
Zubair met his gaze. "Operation Grand Slam—waiting for your command."
Musa whispered, "Soon."
Scene 8: A Letter Never Sent
Location: Sopore | Date: February 28, 1963
Haroon sat beneath a broken wooden bridge, nursing a bullet graze and writing in a small notebook.
> "To my wife, Amina. If this letter ever finds you, know that your husband walked into the valley of fire with hope in his heart. We were told we'd ignite a storm. But here, I see only smoke, and fear in the eyes of the people. Pray for me."
He tucked it into his inner pocket and disappeared into the cold haze of dawn.
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End of Chapter 15