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ISI activities
Since the focal point of the novel is the notorious ISI or the Inter Services Intelligence of Pakistan, all the essential elements of a Pak intelligence agency such as exploiting the sentiments of Islamic fundamentalism in the subcontinent, sponsoring terrorism, macabre scenes accompanying bomb blasts and grenade attacks, sabotage activities like firing on travelers or blowing up bridges and culverts assassination of important political personalities through an accident and aircrash or deploying other foul means killing of innocent people and many other insane ventures, find a mention in this action packed thriller wine women and money supplemented by drug mafia completes the role of this intelligence agency. There is reference of Indian currency notes with a view to disrupt Indian economy.
Fact merges with fiction
While the younger generation may be surprised to know how some Muslims chose to migrate to Pakistan at the time of the partition and some of their kith and kin preferred to stay put in India, it is no news to the people who have witnessed Partition during their life times. Though the book under review is a novel in the sense what a novel is, it is flooded with mines of information relating to socio-politico-economic perspectives and the sub-continental strife confronting the two nations put in the mouth of various characters. We also find how a Muslim family well integrated with the British people, having British passports and roots in India and Pakistan and having dealings with a number of European firm can get entrapped into religious fanaticism with ease.
Events from the political history of the sub-continent like the plot to assassinate the Indian leaders, lack of information and deliberately hiding crucial information from the Indian intelligence agencies by the leaders and not taking such information seriously have been brought to the forth with substantive narrative.
Zia's dictorial attitude
The book is a good mixture of the facts and political events related to Indo-Pak controversies in a fiction form. The author has aptly utilized his knowledge on the defence strategies with political events to form a plot of the book. He has built up the story on the past record of Pakistan opening a window into the future of drug infested Pakistan. The initial zeal and will of Pakistanis to avenge the humiliation of Pakistanis to avenge the humiliation of 1971 war is the basic psyche on which the policies and future actions under Zia-ul-Huq regime were formulated. This point has been highlighted with inferences that the then rulers of Pakistan did not realise the drawbacks and the marsh in which they were leading to through drugs in a hurry to pin India down.
The book indicates towards the success of ISI terrorists network in India, Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries but at the same time it has given a vivid description of the fate of the people involved in operations with ISI. The case of money transaction and the quantum of money involved to carry out the jobs for ISI is beyond comprehension for a normal person. Nevertheless on the life of such people hangs a Damocles' sword. Some juicy and romantic masala, with a Matahari touch has added interesting light flirting anecdotes.
Focal points
Three major aspects brought out through this work of fiction are (1) The Indian Muslims who were born after Partition in India are no more interested in the nation across the border. However the religious fundamentalism and the local pressures with pseudo-secularism at times force them to get lured into the ISI trap. (2) The local Mafia dons supported by politicians and having a clout in administrative set tip are the major players in anti-national activities for power and money without realising the long term consequences on the national interests. (3) The lacuna in the coordination between the various security agencies with very little respect for the system by politicians and largely depending upon the gut feelings and chances of the people involved in the job.
Overall air interesting and gripping account of the ISI’s role and working style, the book is an eye opener for the common man. It forcefully brings out the nexus between the drug Mafia, politicians and money and muscle power and its connections to the ISI. It is a good attempt by the author, an ex airforce officer of the IAF to bring forth the desperate but unsuccessful attempt by the ISI to destabalise India, for the reader. In all an interesting and must be read category book.
(The ISI Connection R. Shekhar Minerva
Press(India) Private LTD, New Delhi, Price Rs 250/-)
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