POV: Aritra NaskarDate: September 26, 2012Location: Jadavpur Villa – Underground Operations Room, KolkataTime: 4:00 AM IST
The narrow lane leading to Jadavpur Villa was shrouded in pre–dawn gloom, broken only by a solitary streetlamp's hesitant glow. I stepped silently through the wrought-iron gate, my umbrella dripping with the last remnants of monsoon mist. Inside, the villa loomed like a forgotten relic—its colonial façade crusted with layers of ivy and shadow. Yet beneath its decaying grandeur, a secret persisted: the underground operations room, accessible only to a select few.
I descended a hidden staircase concealed behind an old bookcase in the library. Each step echoed softly against worn marble until I reached the heavy steel door reinforced with clandestine electronic locks. I keyed in the authorization—my thumbprint and a one-time passcode—and the door slid open with a hiss.
Inside, fluorescent lamps flickered to life, illuminating a cavernous chamber bristling with monitors, encrypted communications consoles, and a long obsidian table. At the far end, Major General Raghav Sen sat behind a holographic map of South Asia, his crisp olive uniform impeccably pressed even at this hour. Lines of fatigue etched his face, but his eyes burned with resolute intensity.
"Mr. Naskar," he greeted, voice low but firm. "Thank you for coming at such an hour." He gestured to the vacant chair opposite him. I sank in, taking in the room's steel-gray walls lined with missile schematics and classified operation orders.
"Good morning, General," I replied, checking the time on my watch. "I understand we have little time before first light in Karachi. The latest satellite feeds confirm storm conditions will clear by 0600 local—prime window for drone penetration."
The General nodded. "Correct. The Pakistani military's radar net is weakest then, given their scheduled calibrations at dawn. We have exactly a thirty-minute window before their air defense systems realign. By 0630 PST, Karachi's coastal radar will be online. Our drones must complete surveillance, weapon tests, and exfiltration by 0625."
I leaned forward. "Let me outline the operation plan, step by step." I tapped my tablet, and the holographic map zoomed over Karachi. "Phase One: Insertion and Reconnaissance. We will deploy two modified Automated Drone Swarms—designated Karachi Alpha and Karachi Bravo—from unmanned cargo gliders launched 300 kilometers offshore in the Arabian Sea. Each glider, carrying four drones, will release at 20,000 feet to glide silently over the water."
Major General Sen's gaze was fixed on the map. "Gliders were loaded last night onto INS Sarosh. Nautical coordinates are pre-programmed for the drop zone—precise latitude 24.8563° N, 67.0244° E. From there, the drones descend to 10,000 feet and engage active radar-evading flight mode."
I continued, "Karachi Alpha's mission: long-range thermal mapping of Pakistan Army's 24th Mechanized Division barracks near Malir Cantonment. Their coordinates: 24.9486° N, 67.0907° E. Thermal imaging will identify vehicle depots, ammunition storage bunkers, and generator installations. At 0610, once targets are confirmed, Alpha's pods will deploy two Directed-Energy Turrets (Compact) configured in reconnaissance mode—passive scanning only, no active firing."
The General interjected, "Directed-energy scanning is essential for non-invasive verification of building materials—steel versus reinforced concrete—so we calibrate the Portable Fusion Pulse Cannon only for Phase Two. Understood."
I nodded. "Phase Two: Proof-of-Concept Testing. Twenty-seven minutes into the window—0617 PST—Karachi Bravo shifts to offensive posture. Bravo carries two Quantum-Enriched Missile Guidance Units packaged in 50-kilogram pods, each attached to an Autonomous Armored Personnel Carrier (XC-9 Sentinel) version outfitted with compact missile racks. Bravo's role is to zero in on a small terrorist training compound near the Super Highway—coordinate 24.9056° N, 67.1282° E—allegedly used by the "Red Crescent Brigade.""
Major General Sen's eyes narrowed. "We have credible intelligence from Interpol that this compound trains suicide cells and arms smugglers. A surgical strike here could debilitate their operations. The QC missile's 0.5-meter guidance precision ensures minimal collateral damage."
I tapped a control sequence. The holographic map highlighted a cluster of low-rise complexes adjacent to open fields. "We'll designate Compound Target Three. Bravo's AI system, cross-referenced with ground-sourced coordinates from our Kashmir drones, ensures a 98.7% hit accuracy. Once Bravo confirms clear line-of-sight, the Hypersonic Interceptor Missiles—two units—will launch at 0618 from a stand-off distance of 12 kilometers."
The General's jaw tightened. "Hypersonic Interceptors engage at Mach 5—it will reach the compound within seconds. Our priority is to avoid civilian casualties—checking satellite maps shows no residential clusters within 400 meters. If the rapid strike fails, Bravo's backup is to deploy a Nano-Swarm Countermeasure System to neutralize any fleeing militants."
I pressed the table's integrated control. The map flickered, showing a simulated flight path: glider drop → thermal scan → turret scan → missile launch → Nano-Swarm containment. "Phase Three: Exfiltration. At 0620, Bravo will loop back toward the Arabian Sea corridor, rendezvous with Karachi Alpha. All eight drones ascend to 20,000 feet and dock with a returning glider mapped at 24.0000° N, 66.5000° E—beyond Pakistan's international radar radius of 18,000 feet."
The General rose, stepping around the table to view the map from another angle. "What about electronic countermeasures? Pakistan's EW units could attempt to jam drone signals mid-mission."
I pointed to a low-altitude corridor over the Makran coast. "We've programmed both swarms with triple-layer encryption: Quantum-Resistant AES–2048 and Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum across six gigahertz bands. Should jamming occur, drones switch to autonomy mode—relying on onboard inertial guidance and preloaded terrain maps. They can operate 12 minutes without external comms before switching to encrypted satellite fallback."
The General exhaled. "That covers EW. Final concern: collateral disruption. Karachi's Port Qasim and Jinnah International Airport—both nearby—cannot detect any drones on their radars during active mission."
I nodded. "Drone swarms hold a reduced radar cross-section in stealth mode—equivalent to a small seabird. Their minimal infrared signature during glide insertion further reduces detection risk. We also calculated winds aloft: strong headwinds at 15 knots over the bay will tilt glider approach to avoid the port's coastal radar at 2,500 feet. Only once above the city grid will we reduce to 1,200 feet, entering urban airspace."
Major General Sen tapped his lip. "Understood. Let's proceed. Final question: what about public fallout if the Nariman point blockade intensifies?"
I lifted my gaze to meet his. "The operation is covert. Once disclosures occur, we'll release only selective data—confirmation of drone-based reconnaissance, proof of militant neutralization, and a statement on how Nova Tech partnered with the Indian Army for regional stability. Pakistan's government may protest, but the evidence—thermal footage, missile telemetry—will be indisputable."
He nodded, resolute. "Very well. Notify Admiral Rao: INS Sarosh sails at 0500. UAV engineers stand by for data retrieval in the Arabian Sea docking zone at 0700 PST. I will coordinate with Eastern Naval Command for flight corridors."
I exhaled, closing the final loop of our plan. "I'll transmit the authorization codes. Once INS Sarosh is clear of territorial waters, the glider drop commences."
The General placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "May this mission succeed. India's security depends on our vigilance. And Nova Tech's technology stands at the forefront."
I gave a curt nod, stepping back. "Thank you, General. Damage control and data integrity are our twin objectives. We will not fail."
Location: INS Sarosh – Main DeckTime: 5:00 AM IST
The black hull of INS Sarosh cut through the Arabian Sea's choppy surface under the murky dawn sky. On the aft hangar deck, two platform‐equipped MG–400 cargo gliders rested, strapped down. Drone engineers in coveralls hustled between stacked crates labeled "AUTOMATED DRONE SWARM: K–ALPHA, K–BRAVO" and "HYPERSONIC INTERCEPTOR MISSILES".
I joined Captain Arjun Talwar, commanding the corvette. He handed me a sealed envelope: "Mission codes and glider release sequences." He nodded. "All systems are green. We're outside Pakistan's EEZ by 5:15 AM. Once authorized, we drop."
I nodded, sealing the envelope in my pocket. "Understood. Final check: waves are six feet, wind 18 knots from the north. That gives the gliders a headwind to cross undetected."
The captain tapped his chronometer. "T minus fifteen minutes."
I tapped my watch in return: "Let's do it."
Interior: Main Operations Room, Jadavpur VillaTime: 5:15 AM IST
Back at the villa, monitors displayed a live nautical map: INS Sarosh's position drifting at 22.0000° N, 64.0000° E—just beyond Pakistan's 12-mile territorial limit. On a small table lay eight fully assembled drones, each installed with GPS coordinates, encrypted keys, and preloaded mission parameters. Priya Menon monitored satellite relays; Ishita Roy prepared Tribunal notifications; Arnav Basu ran a final sweep on procurement logs to ensure no unauthorized components had slipped through.
I keyed in the release command. On the screen, two gliders detached from INS Sarosh's underbelly, gracefully parachuting downward for wing deployment. In moments, their wings snapped open—each spanning 12 meters—catching the dawn wind.
"Gliders have deployed," broadcasted a secure channel from Arjun's bridge.
On the Nautical map, each glider's icon glowed as it glided south—first to 03.7000° N, 65.0000° E then to 26.0000° N, 64.0000° E as they approached Karachi's coast under the cover of early morning haze.
We held our breaths as each glider crossed into Pakistani airspace at 5,000 feet, descending silently to 3,000. In the control room, Priya's console blinked: "K–Alpha active. Radar lock evaded. Altitude nominal."
I exhaled, folding my hands. Eight drones soared toward Karachi, carrying the fate of countless lives. Each rotor spin was a promise—surveillance, surgical strike, or safe exfiltration. Over the Jadavpur Villa's dim monitors, the map's green line traced K–Alpha's glide path; moments later, K–Bravo's line appeared.
I closed my eyes, letting the gravity of our mission settle: we were testing the weapon systems we had bought from the Legendary System—not for war, but for strategic deterrence and reconnaissance. If we succeeded, India's security perimeter would extend beyond borders, enabled by stealth technology. If we failed…
I shook off the thought. We would not fail.
Operation Karachi First Strike – Detailed Plan Summary
Insertion (0500–0515 IST / 2000–2015 PST)
Platform: INS Sarosh cargo gliders
Drop Zone:22.0000° N, 64.0000° E (300 km off Karachi)
Glider Altitude: 20,000 feet gliding to 3,000 feet in stealth mode
Conditions: Clear skies, headwind 18 knots, sea state 6 ft
Phase One – Reconnaissance (0516–0610 PST)
Karachi Alpha (KA–1): Thermal and directed-energy scanning of Malir Cantonment (24.9486° N, 67.0907° E)
Payloads: 2 Directed-Energy Turrets (passive scanning mode), LIDAR array, infrared cameras
Objectives: Identify depot heat signatures, perimeter patrols, structural integrity of ammo bunkers
Karachi Bravo (KB–1): Visual IR mapping of terrorist compound (24.9056° N, 67.1282° E)
Payloads: High-resolution imaging, encrypted data relay node
Objectives: Confirm presence of "Red Crescent Brigade," catalog vehicle silhouettes, identify militants' ingress points
Phase Two – Precision Strike (0610–0618 PST)
Hypersonic Interceptor Missiles (×2) from KB–1:
Launch Time: 0617
Target: Terrorist compound center—vehicle sheds (24.9056° N, 67.1282° E)
Warhead: Quantum-Enriched guidance for <1-m CEP, shaped-charge fragmentation, minimal blast radius (<50 m)
Backup: Nano-Swarm Countermeasure Unit (to neutralize fleeing militants via locust-sized nanobots programmed to disable small arms and communications)
Data & Evidence Collection: Post-strike thermal scan confirming neutralization, footage uplinked to Indian Army HQ within seconds
Phase Three – Safe Exfiltration (0618–0625 PST)
KA–1 & KB–1 Regroup: Automatic waypoints to 24.0000° N, 66.5000° E
Altitude: 3,000 ft to 20,000 ft stealth climb, switching to inertial guidance on jamming detection
Autonomous Return Route: Over Arabian Sea corridor, evading coastal radars and commercial flight paths
Recovery: INS Sarosh picks up returning drones (7 of 8 intact; KA–1 returns first at 0623 PST, followed by KB–1 at 0625 PST)
Phase Four – Post-Mission Audit & Public Disclosure (0626–0700 PST)
Data Verification: Node 2 in Karachi updates ledger—cross-check missile telemetry, drone time-stamps, target coordinates
Tri-Agency Joint Report: Indian Army, Nova Tech, Ministry of Defence compile a classified dossier including thermal footage, radar logs, and UAV flight data
Selective Public Release: Press statement confirming "targeted counter-terror operation eliminating confirmed extremist cell," accompanied by declassified satellite images showing compound destruction, sanitized for civilian privacy
Tribunal Notification: Full mission logs delivered to Tribunal's secure channel at 0700 PST for review in next global session
As the first glimmer of dawn broke over Salt Lake—and as drones streaked over Karachi's lights in calculated silence—I closed the holographic map. The plan lay fully detailed, each step choreographed to the second.
I exhaled, feeling the weight of the operation settle like iron in my chest. When Katrina's partner whispered that "darkness yields to our light," I had believed it. Now, with drones patrolling hostile airspace and quantum missiles poised for silent obliteration, I understood the gravity of that promise: technology was not merely a tool of progress—it was a weapon of deterrence, a sentinel of data, and a spotlight on shadowed terror.
Tomorrow, the world would react. Nova Tech would stand tall or stumble. But tonight, in the silent vectors between Karachi's flickering streets and Jadavpur's hidden corridors, we set a precedent: in the new era, transparency and strategic might converged at the speed of flight—guided by conviction and forged in the ledger's unbreakable code.