Three teenagers sneak into Pakistan to arrest a terrorist and bring him to justice in India

Afzal and Rup’s family left early to leave for Kartarpur at eight o’clock. Rup’s father was happy that Afzal was accompanying them and agreed to a day that suited everyone. He filed the necessary travel requests for the group.

So, sitting in the back of the Chauhan family car, Afzal mulled over the plan as they headed toward Dera Baba Nanak, the small town on the Indian side of the border from where they would cross into Pakistan.

Afzal and Rup watched from the back seat as the transit terminal appeared in the distance. Saanvi, Rup’s little sister, wiggled between them, craning her neck to admire the view.

From the front seat, Rup’s mother said, “I’m so excited to finally be able to visit this temple. You remembered to bring your passports, didn’t you?

“Why do we need passports, bhaiyya?” » asked Saanvi, twirling her braids.

“Well, Bittu, because we are going to Pakistan, which is another country. You know Guru Nanak-ji, right?

The girl nodded.

“Okay, come here. Look at these binoculars,” Rup said, lifting Saanvi onto his lap. “What do you see? »

“Wow!” Saanvi looked through the binoculars. “Is this a big building where Guru Nanak-ji lives?”

Everyone smiles.

“No, Bittu, that’s where Nanak-ji lived a long time ago. We go there to pray because the Darbar Sahib Gurudwara is a holy place. Before it was difficult to visit, but now they built a special corridor so Indians could go straight to the temple,” Rup said, balancing his sister as she leaned against the window, eyes glued to the binoculars.

They checked in, went through security and boarded the bus connecting the two terminals between India and Pakistan. Crossing the border took less time than the entire security process.

As they approached the temple, Saanvi said, “It’s beautiful! Bhaiyya, I don’t even need binoculars.

Rup nodded, looking at the gleaming domes of white marble that filled the horizon. “I know. It’s beautiful. I can’t believe we’re here.

“Me neither.” Afzal’s voice was darker. Looking at the great temple, he felt uneasy and a little guilty for using a pilgrimage as a cover to sneak out. But he woke up thinking about the satisfaction the families of Latif’s victims would feel when the terrorist was brought to justice.

The bus stopped and they got out with the rest of the pilgrims. Rup adjusted his orange pagri on his head, making sure the turban was secure. Saanvi bounced in place like only a child could.

“I want to come in!”

Their father smiles. “Of course, Bittu. As soon as we have Pakistani money. We will need it to buy food, gifts and other things.

“Uncle, why don’t you and aunty move forward with Saanvi? Rup and I will convert Indian rupees to Pakistani rupees.

“Okay, that looks good.”

The group resumed their walk, looking around in awe as they took in the immense complex of smooth white marble structures and archways gleaming in the morning sun.

After converting their money, Afzal and Rup rushed towards the entrance. Along the way, Afzal couldn’t help but notice an unexploded ordnance on display. He stopped to read the plaque that accompanied it. He said India dropped the bomb in an air raid to destroy the gurdwara. The Sikhs knew that this story was false, concocted to increase tensions between the two countries. Even though the Kartarpur corridor was now open, the exhibition was a reminder that India and Pakistan had obvious and serious differences.

Afzal rushed to catch up with his companions and accidentally came across a tall, dark man in a dark suit.

Afzal stopped, bowing slightly. “Excuse me, sir.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Watch where you’re going. You almost stepped on my toes, he said irritably.

As Afzal stepped back, he studied the lines of steel around the man’s eyes and mouth. He was a solemn, grumpy person who rarely smiled and seemed to take the rules seriously.

“Sorry, sir.”

The man growled and waved Afzal away. The line to enter the shrine was long, but they made it inside. Afzal was at the back of their group and he let Rup and his family lead their pilgrimage to the temple.

Rup said, “Mother was right; it is a beautiful and spiritual experience for us to come here. More people would undertake the pilgrimage if they were allowed to do so.

Afzal nodded as he looked around the crowd and different areas of the temple complex. His mind was busy trying to figure out how to get to the food trucks. It was time for him to find Beena.

Rup saw Afzal scanning the crowd. “What or who are you looking for?” »

“Nothing, but my bladder is about to burst.” You continue into the temple. I will see you again shortly.

“Are you sure you can find us?”

“Absolutely. See you in a few.” Afzal ran away.

Rup watched his best friend disappear into the crowd and muttered under his breath, “Full bladder, my ass.” How can I stop his stupid plan? I wish Bee was there to help knock some sense into this idiot.

---

Beena grimaced as she adjusted the red backpack on her shoulder. In it, she had packed the things necessary for their mission. The distinctive red color was to make it easier for Afzal to spot her in the large crowd.

Beena was friends with the family she was traveling with because of the gymnastics team. She had told them that she had to go to Kartarpur for a school project, almost the same story that Afzal had used with Rup’s parents.

Standing in the courtyard, she observed the immense temple complex. What stood out was the large contingent of soldiers carrying machine guns strapped to their shoulders. On top of that, she was sure there were plainclothes officers she couldn’t see. She wiped her forehead, acutely aware of her heart pounding against her ribcage.

It’s more dangerous than I thought. And where are all these damn food trucks hiding?

Looking around, she felt more sure than ever that Afzal would realize the sheer idiocy of his plan.

She was wandering around the shrine, wishing they had agreed on a specific meeting point, when a hand fell on her shoulder. His first instinct was to grab the wrist and pin the arm behind the idiot’s back. But it was a holy place, so she kept her cool and turned around to find out who was being rude. As she did so, she heard a familiar voice say, “Bee, you did it!” »

“Afzal! You idiot, I almost made you a Bruce Lee. She took the heavy bag off her shoulder and let it fall to the ground. “Of course I did. How the hell did you find me in this crowd?

He smiled and held up his cell phone.

“I tracked your phone. Do you remember our plan? And the red backpack worked perfectly. I saw him a hundred meters away.

She was looking for her cell. “Ooh, I forgot we organized this.”

“I had to get away from Rup before I could get you.” Then he raised an eyebrow. ” How are you ? You seem rather…nervous.

“Did you see the number of bloodied officers around? With big machine guns? I stand out like a big flashing light – especially with that stupid red backpack you made me carry around. How did you convince me to lug this around anyway?

Afzal winked at him and motioned to the bag.

“Do you have everything?”

“Yeah, you idiot. We have everything we discussed and more in this two-ton padded bag. But do you see all the guards around us? I don’t know how you can still implement this stupid plan.

Afzal snorted and waved a dismissive hand.

“Here, the guards and the police are a government employment policy, not an instrument of maintaining order. These guys are not well trained and just looking to earn their paycheck. Don’t worry about them.

Beena took a deep breath, showing much of her patience.

“Employment policy? This is bullshit of the highest order. I know you well enough to know when you’re making things up. Come to your senses, will you?

“Come on, the plan is working great. It’s unreal that we’re here. But here we are. They won’t wait for us, and that’s why transporting Latif to India will be as easy as getting wet during the monsoon. And you’ll be happy to know that food trucks are right next to this building.

Beena looked around. She saw the splendor of the sanctuary and the tranquility of the wide open spaces interspersed with magnificent domes. She raised her head. “Instead of following this stupid plan, we should live this.”

Afzal ignored the sight. “Look, Bee, stop doubting me. So far we’ve kept things simple and clear. What can go wrong? »

Excerpted with permission from The schoolyard bet: Afzal and his friends against the terrorist, Manu Namboodiri, Westland.