A New India
Chapter 155 - 155: Time to Attack

The flicker of satisfaction in Rao's eyes matched the quiet confidence in his voice.

With the immediate threat of moles neutralized, they could now move on to more pressing matters.

But both men knew, deep down, that the war in the shadows was far from over.

Rohan tapped the file in front of him, his fingers playing on the edge of the document. "What's the next move, Rao?" he asked quietly, a calm exterior hiding the intensity of his anticipation.

His years in politics had taught him that calm was the most effective weapon in moments of crisis.

Rao's face, usually expressionless, showed a glimpse of determination. "Now that the house is in order, we're going to shift the focus back to ISI. They may not realize yet that we've weeded out the informants, but the moment they understand they've lost their foothold, they'll retaliate. We need to stay ahead of them."

Rohan leaned forward. "What are you thinking? What's the operation?"

Rao paused, weighing his words carefully. He was about to propose something audacious, a move that could fundamentally shift the balance in the intelligence war between R&AW and ISI.

But it would require secrecy and coordination at the highest level.

"Sir, we've crippled their nuclear ambitions, and they're licking their wounds from that," Rao began. "But ISI's operations are larger than we can imagine. They've been weaving detailed networks across Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even into Indian territory for a long time. We need to cut off their operational heads."

Rohan raised an eyebrow. "You mean… targeted strikes?"

"Not just any strikes," Rao clarified. "Surgical ones. We've identified several top ISI operatives, handlers who've been running their covert operations for long time. They're ghosts, rarely seen in public, and their disappearance wouldn't stir up too much noise immediately. If we can take them out, we'll cut the legs out from under ISI's network. We'll leave them scrambling."

Rohan nodded slowly, but there was caution in his eyes. "If we go after them, Pakistan will retaliate, Rao. This could escalate into open conflict."

Rao remained firm. "With respect, sir, we're already in conflict. The moment they sent Saeed Khan after me, they declared their intentions. They won't rest until they get some form of revenge. We either wait for their strike, or we make our move first."

Rohan leaned back in his chair, digesting the reality that his descision will create.

It wasn't just about revenge or tit-for-tat actions.

This was about protecting India's future, neutralizing threats before they turned into something worse.

ISI had become bolder, and if left unchecked, they could gain the upper hand.

"What's your plan for this?" Rohan asked after a long pause.

Rao opened another thin folder he had brought along.

Inside were photographs and dossiers on four high-ranking ISI officers.

"These men," Rao said, tapping the folder, "are responsible for most of ISI's black operations. They're well-protected, but we've tracked their movements over the last few months. We know where they operate, and we know when they're vulnerable. If we hit them quickly and quietly, ISI won't be able to function effectively for months."

Rohan studied the photos in front of him. These were dangerous men, not just for India but for stability in the region. "You're confident we can pull this off without triggering something bigger?"

Rao's voice was calm but resolute. "We don't have a choice, sir. We can't wait for them to strike us first. We take them out, and we buy ourselves time. They'll be too busy picking up the pieces of their network to retaliate immediately."

Rohan thought for a moment, his eyes drifting to the window overlooking the capital.

The city seemed peaceful, but he knew better. Beneath the surface, in the halls of power and the dark corners of intelligence, wars were being fought every day.

And as Prime Minister, it was his job to ensure India stayed ahead in that war.

Finally, he nodded. "You have my green light, Rao. But keep this as silent as possible. We can't afford public attention. The fewer people who know, the better."

Rao stood, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Thank you, sir. We'll get to work immediately."

---

Back at R&AW, the atmosphere had shifted. With the internal mole hunt completed, Rao's team was now focused on the external threat.

The next phase was risky, but it was necessary to cripple ISI's capacity to strike back.

Ajay Singh sat across from Rao, listening intently as his mentor and boss laid out the plan.

"We have four primary targets," Rao said, sliding the photos across the table. "All high-ranking ISI operatives. They've been involved in everything. We've monitored their movements for weeks, and we have a small window to act."

Ajay picked up one of the photos, studying the face of the man in it.

Farooq Aziz, an ISI handler who had been active in Kashmir for some time. He was known for being ruthless and methodical, a man who left no loose ends.

Taking him down wouldn't be easy.

"These are top-tier operatives," Ajay said, his voice calm but serious. "How are we handling it?"

Rao leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "We go dark. These men are smart, they're expecting us to make a move, but not like this. We won't go after them with large teams or traditional methods. This will be an operation conducted by a handful of trusted agents, agents who can get in and out without leaving a trace."

Ajay nodded. "Infiltration?"

"Yes," Rao confirmed. "We'll send in small teams to each location. Hit them where they're most vulnerable, eliminate the target, and disappear before ISI even knows what's happened."

Ajay's mind was already running through the logistics. Each target would require a different approach, different tools, different tactics.

But he trusted Rao's judgment.

This was the kind of operation that could change the course of the intelligence war between India and Pakistan.

"When do we move?" Ajay asked, his voice steady.

"As soon as we finalize the details," Rao replied. "This has to be perfect, Ajay. We can't afford a mistake."

Ajay stood, his resolve unwavering. "We'll make it happen."