I was newly appointed by the government military as a provisional in-charge of the village Tsangpang. As I went to the village I was welcomed by my adjutant, who was to become my guide in my temporary duty to this village. As we were taking a patrol, the adjutant was providing me with information about the village.
“This is the worst affected area in this valley. The local goons and the military always have a up-down in this area. Sometimes we gain the control, sometimes they chase us out. This is the longest time, for more than 6 months at a stretch, that military is controlling this part. Villagers are liking this peace. Initially, the goons as well as the military used to convict villagers for helping the other side. People were really fed up. They came up with the solution that whoever wants food, shelter, medicine and help to save life will be provided to both – military and goons. But no help of any other kind will be provided to either. This has been very helpful in maintaining basic level of peace here. Otherwise, every 15 days, there would be at least one casualty without any reason. The valley is indeed peaceful now.”
“Is it?”
“Yes, even the village people have started helping us. Earlier they were not very pro. Now, we have some recruits to do regular chores.”
” In that case why is this place still in list A?”
“Some matters are still not settled. Government also fears some fresh attempts of attack.”
“Attack? For what?”
“To gain control over this region. This is the sleekest way to money. The border is near and anything and everything can be sold for incredulous worth.”
“They can still do it. Why fight and gain control?”
“For reforms.”
“What do they want?”
“That’s a million dollar question. What does a teenager wants from acting as a rebel? A part of local youth is of the opinion that they lack basic facilities and hence cannot study and the present government has brought all the rules which sets them aside and does not allow them to participate in the local politics. So, they do this.”
“Were there talks between the government and the local people here?”
“Many times. But failed for some or the other stupid reason.”
“What is their source of arms and ammunition?”
“It’s evident that it comes across the border. But considering the dense forest here, no one has considered the option of tracing back to the original source.”
“Is it so impossible?”
“Not worth, to say.”
“??”
“If you have seen who stole your belongings, you won’t really need to file an FIR to initiate an investigation. One would opt to …”

He couldn’t continue further. There was a group of people thrashing an old man.
“What’s that?”
” that old man gets drunk every evening and goes to every household asking for food.”
“Is there scarcity of food here?”
“Not really. But the productive time of the year is short. Also each house needs to donate grains to fund.”
“What fund?”
“Sometimes Army men need to stay in village. People here provide food and shelter. They get the food reimbursed from the fund. When we live, we sign the fund receipt and give it to the host. The host takes it to the village head and gets it compensated from the fund.”
“The government must be providing the compensation.”
“Yes, but sometimes it takes longer than expected for the ration to reach us. Unless we have it, we can’t give them anything. Still they contribute to the fund and wait patiently with the receipts till the ration comes.”
“Generous people. How big is the village?”
“55 houses. Everyone knows the other. The only house away from the village is in that forest. A big joint family used to live there once. There were many casualties there, as the house is on the way to the forest. Very strong people. Now only the granny stays with her granddaughter.”


When we came to the cantonment area, it was already dark. He guided me to my living arrangement, which was made in one of the office rooms in the annex. It was to the South of the cantonment premises. This was the end of the construction area. Beyond the French window was a vast ground surrounded by barbed fence. There was no light there. I inquired and came to know that the lights were blown off during the last attack. There was no one in charge of the task, hence it remained incomplete. “I am in the camp area, 3rd barrack. You may just call out and I will report immediately.” During our reconnaissance and the time thereafter, I was still thinking about the unfortunate family who lost all the men. While he was leaving, I mentioned this to the adjutant. He only said,” They are not unfortunate. Please don’t refer them so.” He said nothing further. I noticed displeasure and sadness in his voice. I noted that since I don’t know many things here, I should not comment.

I made it a mandate to check all posts every 2 hours at night. Still, at dawn there was some sluggishness. I could understand that with the present capacity, it was difficult even to do this. The staff was very cooperative.

It was third night after my reporting. I heard a sudden thud, near the southern gate of the camp followed by the deafening sounds of shooting from rifles and within 15 min, three dead bodies were brought in front of me.

“The goons, Sir. 3 killed, 2 escaped.”
“Check their belongings. If any of their relatives live in the village, inform them. Prepare the report and send it to the head quarters ASAP. If anyone comes to claim the body, get detailed information about the dead person and his present contacts in the village.”
“Sir, in that case, no one from the village will come to claim the body, the people here are reluctant to get involved.”
“Can you get some information about them?”
“Yes, little.”
“Write it and give it to me. Take some photos. What do we normally do with the dead bodies then?”
“We burn them to avoid detestation.”
“How much dry wood will it consume?”
“Half of what we have now.”
“Go to the village and declare that the dead bodies will be handed over without questioning. Report to me when the dead bodies are handed over.”
Later, in my office I asked my adjutant to make a list of people who come to claim the bodies.

Once while on the regular rounds, our vehicle got punctured. My adjutant made arrangements for the mechanic. “It will be dark till this is repaired. Shall I make arrangements for your stay here?”
“Tell me the route and I will walk to the cantonment.”
“Take the main road, that’s the easiest one. You may also take the road by the river. But it is steep and one has to walk through the cold water as the bridge is damaged. You will save at max 20min.”
He guided me with the main road and I set on.
On the way, I saw some people carrying long wooden logs. I inquired and got to know that villagers from the surrounding villages have been brought to cut trees from the valley. They all gathered around me. They had known me for two reasons, first was I regularized the payment of fund receipts and second was, I gave the dead bodies without inquiry.
“This is not the time to cut trees.” I said.
“Yes, Sir. But, many villagers have lost their livelihood because of heavy rains and storm last season. The landlord is helping them to earn some money and get food at least for some days.”
“Who?”
“The Red Master from western alley.”
“Since how many days are you working here?”
“Sir, we are working for last three days. Before us, other group from our village was working”, one of them replied.
“Sir, we alone cannot claim all the help. We also need to support fellow villagers. The Red Master has been very kind. He is providing work for people in at least 4 nearby villages.”
“Yes. But what’s the use cutting trees in valley?”
“May be for making land for cultivation. As many people lost their livelihood, Master must be trying to make arrangements for providing them work.”
“We don’t know, Sir. But it is said that the Master is going to make coal from this wood.”
“Coal?” My tone was almost mocking. Suddenly the supervisor appeared from nowhere. He coaxed,”Sir, don’t listen to them. The Master just wants to help people. Whether for coal or farming, how can we ask the Master about the purpose of this.”
“Humm.”
It took me one and half hour to reach by main road. I kept thinking about the people in valley who keep walking long distances for something as trivial as a tea powder to offer tea to the Army men.

It was more than a month for my posting. People were relieved that there was only one attempt of attack. They thought that the goons gave up. For me, it was too much of silence and something bigger was to happen. I was counting days. There was no activity reported in the nearby villages. I was expecting something to happen at the periphery of the territory under control. I wanted to check farther, but I was not granted permission. I tried to explain. But in vain.
I tried to put myself in their shoes and thought accordingly. Then thought of the counter attacks to plan. But, nothing was happening and I grew suspicions. There was nothing that could be done. Wait, watch, be vigilant was everything we could do.
One night I was about to keep my work aside and was preparing to go to sleep. Looking out of the window, I spent some time thinking of the possible activity of the enemy and returned to my bed. I was lying on my bed and looking out of the window. Suddenly I felt , I should get up. I didn’t realize that I slept for more than an three hours. It was 1.30 am. I kept watch over the open window and kept my ears open all while. With a sudden urge, I got up and went to the window. It was pitch dark outside and the silence was frazzling. There was some activity at the fence. Someone was trying to break in. The figure was small, thin and most importantly, unarmed. I jumped out of the window with my rifle and got into the darkness. I wanted to reach the stranger, before anyone noticed one in the premises. The villagers were not ready to act as informers and now here was a civilian, rather a teenager breaking into the cantonment area at these hours. I was taken aback to see the figure approaching almost without caution towards the light. I was soon proved wrong. The stranger disappeared into the darkness. I couldn’t trace. I was so disappointed and angry with myself. I moved forward with caution. Something caught my arm! I stood straight and still as a knife moved along my shoulder blade to my spine. I was slowly taken to the fence. I realized a small hand guiding me. I calculated the risk and whisked the hand off and caught the stranger, knife still in his hand. The struggle to set free was commendable. Had I not been taller than him, he would have managed to escape. I silently appreciated his courage. For a few gasps and sighs, the transition of power was peaceful. I snatched the knife out of his hand. It was now red with blood. Holding tight, I asked, “What do you want?”
Answer came in a chocked voice.
“I have a news for you. Two armed men in military uniform spoke of attacking the cantonment from South, early morning today. A truck is coming from East to assist them with ammunition.”
I was shocked to hear a delicate female voice.
I let her go. She was definitely hurt by the knife. Her back hand was hurt near the thumb. She turned to me. She was hardly twenty. Confident and bold. A silent apology slipped in my tone and body language.
“You said in military uniform?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know if they are not military people?”
“They didn’t sign the fund receipt. They paid more so that we don’t tell this to anyone.”
“What did they say?”
“That they are going to attack the cantonment today early morning. The South road is already blocked by 3 trucks. One of them will come to the East at around 5.30 in the morning.”
I gave her a sharp look.
“I overheard them. When military people come, we get advance notice. No one stays without signing the receipt. I got doubt, so I kept watch. We don’t do this otherwise. We give separate accommodation. They didn’t know this.”
“How come you left your home?”
“They asked me to deliver a note.”
“To whom?”
“I don’t know. They told me the place. Third house in the western alley.”
“You read the note?”
“Yes.”
“Yes?” There was a slight mock in my tone. I suspected that she was being used to deviate our attention or for spying.
She tried to get something from the inside pocket of her coat-like thing. I observed her. Her attire below the knees was soaked in water. She barely had something warm on her body and she was trying hard not to shiver.
“How come you are wet?”
“I came by crossing the river. The bridge is damaged. So, had to wade through.”

She was clearly tired. She handed over a note to me.
“They thought I am illiterate.” I took it. It was slightly wet.
“Please be fast. I have to deliver it.” She pleaded.
“I need to read it. Come with me.”
She followed me. I came to the point where I could read it. I was not ready to trust her. But the news might be true. The note read:
‘At 6am, South passage. Reach Q11 by 6.10. RL54 will join you there from East.
-RM’
I handed over the note to her. I wanted her to go back before the next patrol at 2am. I escorted her to the fence and returned her knife.
“When did they reach your house?”
“At night, somewhere between 11.30 and 11.45”
“Thanks. Go now.” I was really thankful to her. The note gave direction to my thoughts.
“Please don’t mention.”
I estimated the time. It would have taken them around 10 min to discuss the accommodation. Then they would have spoken, then asked her to deliver the note. So, may be she left at around 12 – 12.15. Then it was 1.30 when she reached here. She came by crossing the river in this cold. I was wondering how fast she would have walked without making noise, in dark – without stumbling upon anything, reaching here to inform about the possible attack. I admired her courage, physical strength and also presence of mind. But, I still considered the attack as a mere possibility. I wasn’t ready to trust her completely.

I went to my room and summoned my adjutant. He reported in next 8 min.
“I have a few questions.”
“Yes?”
“Can you explain me the cantonment area?”
“Yes.” His eyes were wide with surprise at my question. Not the question, but the time might have surprised him. Also he had given this information right in the beginning. So, why now? Why again?
“We have 16 barracks to the East, of which 1 to 6 are occupied. The remaining 10 are, right now used as barriers during attack. Then we have the main building that faces North. We have an annex building just behind it. South is open space. To the West, we have ammunition storage.”
“How much time will it take to walk from South part to the ammunition storage in the West?”
“Depends on where we start. If we start from the slope point, it takes 18 min. If we start from South passage, it may take approximately 8-10 min.”
“And from South passage to the barracks?”
“Depends on which barrack to reach. To my barrack it takes 7 min.”
“And to reach the 11th barrack?”
“Additional 3 min.”
“Can you tell me if there was some activity of people or vehicles in last 24hrs?”
“I don’t think so, we would have noticed.”
“Last month the dead bodies were claimed by someone in the village, right?”
“Yes, two prominent names. One of them is a resident of western alley another one is a businessman in the central town.”
“Are they involved?”
“Can’t say. People here make arrangements to burn the dead bodies, even if they don’t like these people. The businessman has taken lot many dead bodies before. He just burns the corpses. Never found to be involved in anything.”
“I see. What is there to the South beyond the fence?”
“Steep slope and dense forest. The border is about 5 km.”
I knew that the river side road comes to the western part of the cantonment. Then how come this girl came from the southern fence.
“Is there any connecting road between East, West and South entrances outside the cantonment area?”
“There used to be one. It is not used anymore. It needs maintenance which is not done since many years.”
“Do you think they have rocket launchers with them?”
“Yes, last time they had one. It is suspected that they got more recently.”
“Do you know, how they address each other?”
“They are numbered, I suppose. No one knows the other’s name. At least they don’t utter them.” He then hesitatingly asked, “Do we expect any attack?”
“I don’t know. We can only be vigilant.” I wasn’t sure if I can tell him anything. I didn’t wish the girl to be in trouble.
“Ask everyone to assemble here after the patrol?”
“Yes, Sir.”
He left.
We were in all 33 members in the cantonment area. I had no idea how to distribute them to complete a long list of tasks along with regular rounds.
“We will distribute ourselves in 6 teams. First team consisting of 5 armed men will start from the West gate at 2.30. They will leave the campus and scan for any activity for about 500m. They will come back by 3. The second team consisting of 4 armed men will start at the East gate at 2.45, scan the area for about 500m and return by 3.15. The third team of 6 armed men will leave at 3 through the North gate, split into half and go to the village. They will check for heavy vehicles in eastern and western alley. They will not interrogate. They should return by 4.”
While dictating the tasks, I pointed to the men and they formed groups.
“Everyone must be well equipped and Do Not Initiate Fire. Those on task may leave.”

Half of the troops dispersed. Some were assigned the task of keeping ammunition ready so that it can distributed within 10 min of call. I asked some to continue with the regular patrolling and took 4 best men to the South portion of the camp. With night vision binoculars, I asked them to get on the machaan that was built after I came. I suspected some kind of watch over us from the south side. I wished we had more night vision goggles that could have been given to the fellow men who went for scanning the area.
It took considerable time to get on to the machaan and start observing the area. I asked for their observations. There was nothing noticeable. Finally, when the last man was about to climb down the machaan that he noticed some unusual flat surface among the trees suddenly started to move and also some movement in the patch where there were no trees. As the trees were rather tall, it was difficult to actually see what was happening. We could only guess.
“What kind of movement?”
“Can’t make out. The trees cover a lot of area. I will suggest that we scan the area.”
“No. It can be dangerous. Let us wait for others to return.” I didn’t want them to know that we had even the slightest idea of something happening in the surroundings.
“Sir, the first team is already here. Waiting for you.” My adjutant announced panting hard.
“Come.”
In my room, everyone was eager to make their observations public. The first team that went to the West saw footprints from the river to 2 meters of west fence and then turned towards South.
“We couldn’t trace after some time because the trees grew thick and we couldn’t get in.”
“Sir, also the West was more quiet. It seemed unusual.”
“Did you see anything while scanning the area?” I asked.
“Sir, nothing different. Just the footprints. They appeared to be very fresh.”
“Did you get the identification mark? We will need it for investigation.”
“Yes, Sir. Sir, I think someone amongst us is involved.”
I gave him a sharp look and he turned his face away. I simply said, “we cannot claim until proven. Leave the mark here and I will have a look.”
I asked them to get ready for the counter attack, if required.
I saw the mark and knew it was the girl who left those foot prints.
The next team from the East arrived soon and quickly reported to the point,”Sir, we found rocket launchers around 450 meters from the fence. There were two. “
“Sir, we brought them with us.”
I gave a pleasant smile and approved the act.
“Sir, surprisingly we didn’t get any trace of ammunition required.”
“Humm. Get ready, we need to be vigilant.”
So, what information the girl brought was true. I still was not sure. It might be something planned, I thought.
The last team arrived from the village.
“Sir, there is nothing in the Eastern alley. All quiet. And the silence was easy. We noticed tyre marks near the East-West split when we left. They were not specially fresh, indicated some heavy vehicle with lot of load in it and also, it surprisingly didn’t take the main road to go down East.”
“Could you trace the marks?”
“Sir, we did. It started from or ended in Western alley.”
“?”
“Sir, there was another truck in the Western alley and one could not say that the truck came there later or it was there since the beginning.”
“Where was the truck in the Western alley?”
“Between house no 3 and 4.”
“Do you know who owns those houses?”
“Don’t know about No. 4. No. 3 is owned by a merchant. People here call him Red Master.”
The message made very much sense now. The girl was supposed to give the message at Red Master’s house. I suddenly remembered the conversation with villagers.
“Did anyone notice you?”
“Only a truck driver was the person whom we saw. I saw him sleeping, but he says that he was acting to avoid interrogation”, one of them said pointing to the other.
“Quite possible.” Someone remarked.
“Where did the tyre marks advance.”
“If we say, it reached the Western alley then the vehicle came from East. But we couldn’t find any marks after a certain distance.”
“We saw one odd thing. Out of nowhere there were foot prints, small in size, and did not make much impression. Also, we could figure them out because of mud. They appeared fresh, but disappeared suddenly.”
“I see. Where do you think that place is as compared to the North main gate?”
“May be 500 meters to the East or may be South.”
“Good. Gather everyone.”
It was already 4.30.
When everyone gathered, they were fully charged. Just for the orders, else they would have left hours ago. It brought me enthusiasm.
“From the information we gathered, I conclude that there are chances of attack. The next few hours are very crucial. We need to act.”
“I want the fence to be guarded from behind the barriers. No one is to be seen. Front gate will be left open. No guards. I need 7 men to be on the South side and 5 each on remaining sides. 4 will go on actual mission. 3 will be responsible for ammunition distribution and protection in case of attack.”
I was directing people to their next actions.
“Considering the possible attack, you are supposed to shoot at sight any person carrying weapons, destroy any vehicle carrying arms, ammunition and armed men. I expect attack from all sides at the same time. Don’t hesitate to counter attack, even if there are villagers in the mob. We need to defend our fort.”
Finally I said, “I will be on the South side. Disperse.” I hinted my adjutant to get ready.

Later, in my room, I asked two to go to the place where the tyre marks vanished and keep a watch over the traffic. They were supposed to explode any vehicle that enters the forest.
“The area is not under our control.”
“Any area used to attack the military premises cannot be spared as a private property. Vehicle full of ammunition might be there. Try to destroy it. Try keeping yourself safe. Leave now.”
They left. I had a look at the defense positions, I was satisfied.

At around 5.45 there was a huge blast in the southern forest cover. It lasted for 17 complete minutes. It was so devastating that the entire village was under a thick smoke cover. Needless to mention, the damage it caused. It affected the Southern wall of the annex badly. Everyone ran to shelter. Once the blasting stopped, the entire space was like vacuum. No sound. Troops dispersed to take control.
Several citizens in the southern suburb were severely wounded. They were taken to the temporary medical facility made available in the nearest village. It took 3 days to move the corpses out from the entire village and the forest cover.
I was worried about the two who took the risk. When they were brought, they were seriously wounded, but alive. They were immediately taken to the Medical facility in the neighboring village. They were the heroes of this victory.

At the North gate, I was considering the situation. The planned attack was more powerful than I had thought of. Arms, quantitatively almost equal to the ones we had were recovered. Ammunition that was destroyed would have taken thousands of lives. The very thought of the possible consequence of the attack brought a shiver in my spine. One message brought to me saved everything.

A month later, I was decorated with Honors and a feast was organized in remembrance of the victory. The heroes of the victory were present at the occasion and were decorated by the Chief. They recovered after a considerable time.

Every time, I saw the southern wall of the annex, I remembered the girl who brought the message. There was no way to give her the credit she owned.