A New India
Chapter 139 - 139: The Hunt for Critical Information

K.N. Rao as he left the Prime Minister's office. He thought about the situation

Pakistan was preparing a nuclear test, and it was up to him and his network to gather every last shred of information before any action could be taken.

He knew there could be no half-measures. His team had to be sharp, focused, and absolutely discreet.

Any leak, any misstep, and Pakistan would accelerate their plans.

The fear of losing the element of surprise disturbed him.

As soon as he reached his office, Rao didn't waste a second.

He grabbed the telephone on his desk and dialed the direct line of his most trusted operative.

"Get me Shiv," he said, his voice steady but with an sense of urgency.

Shiv had been with R&AW since it start and before that worked as mercenary.

He was an expert at navigating the dangerous terrain of Pakistan's underground networks, and if anyone could get to the heart of what was happening in Chagai Hills, it was him.

Shiv was known for his ability to blend in, whether in the markets of Karachi or the military installations near the border.

He was, in essence, a ghost, a man who could disappear in plain sight.

A few minutes later, the door to Rao's office opened, and in walked Shiv, a quiet and unassuming figure in a simple shirt and slacks.

But his eyes were sharp, taking in everything in a glance.

"You called for me, sir?"

Rao gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Sit down, Shiv. We've got a situation that demands your full attention."

Shiv sat, his back straight, knowing from Rao's tone that this was no ordinary mission.

"Pakistan is building towards a nuclear capability," Rao said, not mincing words.

"We've received intelligence from a high-level source, Captain Alfaz Shaheed. They've started gathering the materials, the resources, and worryingly foreign scientists. We suspect they could be ready for a nuclear test in about a year."

Shiv's expression didn't change, but his silence spoke volumes.

Rao knew that Shiv understood the gravity of the situation without needing any further explanation.

"I want you to activate every single contact we have in Balochistan," Rao continued, leaning forward. "We need to know the details, convoy movements, supply chains, who these foreign scientists are, and where the materials are coming from. This operation has to be completely under the radar, no mistakes."

Shiv nodded, his eyes focused. "I'll start reaching out immediately. Do we have any confirmed locations?"

"Chagai Hills," Rao replied, tapping the file on his desk. "Everything seems to be centered there, but we need confirmation. Don't leave any stone unturned, Shiv. If we don't gather enough information, we won't be able to act before they complete the project."

Shiv stood, ready to leave. "I'll get it done."

---

Two Days Later – Quetta, Pakistan

In the heart of Balochistan, the dusty, sun-baked city of Quetta moved at its usual pace.

Markets were full of traders and travelers, and military presence was discreet but always noticeable.

Rahim, one of R&AW's most reliable informants in the region, sat in a quiet corner of a local teahouse.

His hands warmed around a cup of tea as he waited for a particular guest to arrive.

Rahim wasn't a spy by nature, but years of working as a trader on both sides of the law had given him valuable contacts.

And right now, he was waiting on one of those contacts, a low-ranking officer stationed near Chagai Hills who had seen more than he was supposed to.

The officer arrived just after sunset, nervous and glancing over his shoulder as he took a seat across from Rahim.

"You've been working near Chagai Hills," Rahim said quietly, keeping his voice casual but controlled. "You've seen things, haven't you?"

The officer's hands trembled slightly as he reached for his own cup. "I… I can't talk about it. If anyone finds out—"

"No one will find out," Rahim cut in smoothly, sliding an envelope across the table. "This stays between us."

The officer hesitated, but the weight of the envelope, filled with money, pulled him in. He pocketed it quickly, his eyes darting around again.

"They've been moving equipment," the officer whispered, leaning in slightly. "Military convoys, heavy stuff, things we don't normally see in that part of the country. They've set up new checkpoints, and there are foreigners, engineers, I think. Germans, maybe others. No one tells us what's happening, but the rumors…"

"What rumors?" Rahim asked, his voice calm but insistent.

"They say it's a test site," the officer replied, his voice barely audible.

"They're hollowing out the hills. Building something underground. It's… bigger than anything we've ever seen."

Rahim nodded, his mind already processing the information. "How often are the convoys?"

"Every few weeks," the officer said, swallowing hard. "And there's always more equipment. They're getting ready for something, but no one knows exactly when."

Rahim finished his tea and stood, tossing a few rupees onto the table. "If you hear anything else, you know where to find me."

The officer nodded, relief washing over his face as Rahim left the teahouse.

The money would keep him quiet for now, but Rahim knew this was only the beginning.

He sent word back to Shiv, knowing the significance of what he had just learned.

---

Islamabad, Pakistan

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room in Islamabad, another R&AW contact

Faheem, met with a disgruntled contractor who had recently been dismissed from a project near Chagai Hills.

The contractor, an engineer by training, had seen too much and asked too many questions, which had gotten him quietly removed from the project.

"They're building underground bunkers," the contractor said, his voice bitter.

"It's all hush-hush, but it's clear what they're preparing for. They've been bringing in foreign experts, German mostly. But they can't fool me, those German scientist are headed by an American and they know what they are working on"

"And they're working on…?" Faheem prompted, keeping his expression neutral.

The contractor scoffed. "What do you think? It's nuclear. I saw the plans before they kicked me out. They've got machines coming in from overseas, and they're stockpiling materials. If they aren't already refining uranium, they're damn close."

Faheem's heart raced. This was the confirmation they needed.

"And how far along are they?"

"They're still in the setup phase," the contractor replied.

"But give them a few months, and they'll be in the final stages. A year, maybe less."

Faheem nodded, his mind already forming a report for Shiv.

"Keep your head down," he said, handing the contractor an envelope of cash.

"If anything else comes up, let me know."

---

For the next week, R&AW's operatives worked tirelessly, connecting dots and confirming suspicions.

In addition to Rahim and Faheem's reports, information poured in from various sources, convoy sightings, technical equipment being shipped through discreet channels, and confirmations of foreign scientists actively working on site.

By the end of the week, Shiv sat across from Rao's desk in Delhi, handing over a thick file full of reports, names, and timelines.

Rao flipped through the pages, the puzzle pieces now fully fitting together.

"They've got foreign help," Shiv said simply.

"German Scientist and Americans. They're not fully operational yet, but give them time, and they will be. But beyond that Involvement of American is a surprise and this threat has become more dangerous"

Rao looked up from the file, his face set in grim determination. "This is what we needed. Good work, Shiv."

Shiv nodded

"What's next, sir?"

Rao closed the file, knowing what had to be done.

"We take this to the Prime Minister. He needs to know we have everything now. It's time to decide what comes next."