I have watched these handful of men scouring the mountainside in and around me, studying footprints and broken twigs for more than twenty-four hours now. They merge with the undergrowth in their shaded green, khaki battle fatigues. A heavy pack on their backs and guns in their hands, they move silently with a quiet confidence.
It is their eyes that arrest my speculation. Bright, alert, and determined. Just five, reminds me of another set of five brothers who went past here thousands of years ago.
They are in pursuit of the few who scrambled by just a few hours ago. That motley group; with big beards, big guns and bigger backpacks who had a frightened look … more like savages running for life.
Here they come, the soldiers of the special forces.
“They must be wanting to hide in the dhok just ahead,” said one of the soldiers, softly, a susurration among the timeless forest.
“I will not spare them. Their heinous deed of murdering innocent children and women, who were unarmed, unaware and untrained, is unpardonable.”
“Have a sip of water and some of your dry fruits, its been more than ten hours since our last halt.”
“My heart and blood are pumped, Sir! I shall not be able to rest till our goal is achieved,” whispered a steady young voice.
“Lets go boys, they too must be waiting!”
***
In the woods higher up on the mountain stood a lone dhok, in a small clearing. No smoke curled out of its chimney, no cattle bleated, nor was any man visible around it.
The group of men looked at each other, nodded slightly and moved closer. The youngest was then signaled to go forward and check it out. The sun had silently slipped below the horizon long ago, making way for the stars in the sky to shine one by one. Slowly and surreptitiously he moved forward. His heart beat so loudly, he felt it echoed in that clearing, announcing his presence and leaving him an easy target for the Army soldiers who had been following them like blood-hounds. The door opened at his slight push, the stench of cattle that had sheltered in it through eons, stifled his breath, but it was empty. He sighed. Relieved. He waved to his waiting comrades, who rushed in. Safe for the night!
***
My topmost branches rise up high. And now I see the scout put up his hand silently. He hears a faint murmur carried by the wind. Human voices. He puts on his night vision glasses. There ahead of him, past the few old, huge Deodars, stands a lone dhok. The human whisper is coming from there. He signals his mates to come forward slowly and take up their positions.
The officer indicates ‘No firing till the identity of the people is confirmed. No collateral damage.’
My heart is filled. These are not ordinary men!
Glossary
Dhok- a stone and wood shelter for men and cattle in Kashmir
