44. John is kidnapped by terrorists

CHAPTER 44

John is kidnapped by terrorists

Journalist John arrived with other cameramen at India gate. He got down. Commandos saluted.

John said, “You men are new. What about those other commandos who used to always come?”

One commando said, “Sir, they have been sent to the railway point. 6 of us are extra security men appointed to protect you.”

John nodded.

The film shooting started. After some time, John climbed into his van for rest. One commando sat in the driver’s seat. Remaining 5 commandos entered the van.

John was shocked. “I want to take rest. Why are you all here?”

One commando put a gun at his head and signaled him to keep quiet. “If you make any sound, bullets will enter your head.”

One commando got down and approached the cameraman. “Sir is having head ache. Shooting has been put off.”

Cameraman went to the window of the van. Commando put the gun at John’s waist and told him softly, “Tell him that the shooting is cancelled.

John opened the window and peeped out. “Yes. The shooting has been cancelled. We will continue tomorrow.”

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Ram(Rahim) was in the railway. He got a phone call.

One man said on phone, “Operation successful.”

Ram(Rahim) was very happy. “Very good. I will come in the morning.”

He looked at Raju and Aslam. “I got a phone call from my village. I have to go to the village for final rites of my wife. Please don’t phone and disturb me. If there is any emergency, Raju will inform me.”

Raju nodded. “Sure sir.”

Aslam looked at Raju.

Ram(Rahim) said, “Mr. Raju, I am making you in charge here while I am gone.”

Aslam observed him leave. He thought, “He is a changed man ever since his wife died. He does not seem to trust me.”

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Assistant Police Commissioner came to Commando Ram’s office. He looked at Raju. “Mr. Commando, journalist John is missing. He was shooting at India gate. He left in the morning with commandos saying that he has head ache. Can you give me the list of commandos who are with him?”

Raju was surprised. “Sir, none of our commandos were with him. He never gave us information about the shooting at India gate.”

Asst. PC was shocked. “What are you saying? What about his personal security commandos?”

Raju said, “Yesterday our boss Ram shifted them to the railway point saying that there was problem there.”

All were shocked.

Asst. PC said, “What happened to John? The cameraman informed us that commandos were with him. I am getting confused. The matter has already gone to the prime minister. They are blaming us. Out country’s prestige is involved. If anything happens to John, we will lose our jobs. His is a BBC journalist.”

Suddenly the phone rang. Aslam picked up the phone.

One man said, “Your journalist has been kidnapped by Joshi tho-u-Ba gang.”

Aslam was shocked. “Sir, John had been kidnapped by Joshi-Tho-U-Ba gang.”

Asst. PC took the phone. “Any demands?”

Toshiba man said, “Yes. We want our men to be released. But we are not going to deal with you. We will deal with the Home Minister.”

He put down the phone.