A New India
Chapter 240 - 240: Operation Shield

The Prime Minister's office was dimly lit as the clock struck 9 PM.

Rohan sat at his desk, staring intently at a file marked "CONFIDENTIAL."

The riots in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had been quelled, but the scars of those days still kept making him paranoid

For him, it wasn't just about restoring order it was about ensuring that such chaos never erupted again.

He had summoned two of the country's most trusted intelligence chiefs: Rao, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), and Atma Jayram, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

The two entered the room quietly, their faces reflecting the gravity of the meeting.

Rohan motioned for them to sit.

"Rao, Atma," he began, his tone calm but firm, "thank you for coming on such short notice. The riots have ended, but I'm not convinced we've addressed the root of the problem."

Atma Prakash spoke first, his voice measured. "Prime Minister, the riots were fueled by misinformation and local grievances, but there's no denying that certain extremist groups played a significant role. We've identified individuals and organizations that were actively involved in inciting violence."

Rohan leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk. "This isn't just about what happened last week. It's about what could happen tomorrow. These groups have an agenda to destabilize this country. And that is something we cannot allow. This country I intend to keep the demography which is Hindu forever.

Rao nodded. "Prime Minister, if I may, extremism thrives in the shadows. These groups often operate under the guise of community welfare or religious education. To dismantle them, we need to penetrate their networks and understand their operations from the inside."

"Precisely," Rohan said. "I want a silent operation. No noise, no headlines. We can't afford to alert them or allow this to become a political weapon for the opposition. This has to be about protecting our citizens and maintaining stability."

Over the next hour, the three men outlined a comprehensive strategy.

The operation would focus on identifying the funding sources, communication channels, and recruitment methods of extremist organizations. Key steps included:

1. Infiltration: R&AW operatives would embed themselves in suspected groups to gather intelligence. This would include monitoring mosques, community centers, and educational institutions known to be hubs of activity.

2. Financial Tracking: The Intelligence Bureau would work with the Ministry of Finance to trace suspicious transactions, especially those involving foreign donations.

3. Covert Surveillance: Teams would monitor key individuals and locations, using advanced technology to track movements and communications.

4. Legal Framework: The government would ensure that all actions were grounded in law, to avoid accusations of overreach or targeting.

5. Community Engagement: Simultaneously, efforts would be made to work with moderate voices within communities to counter extremist narratives.

Rohan's instructions were clear. "Rao, Atma, I want this operation to be surgical. Focus on individuals and organizations, not communities. The goal is to root out extremism, not to alienate law-abiding citizens."

Both men nodded. Atma added, "Prime Minister, this will take time. Building trust with informants, infiltrating networks it's not something we can rush."

"I understand," Rohan replied. "But make no mistake this is a priority. And remember, the key is silence. I don't want the public or the media to have the slightest hint of what we're doing."

The operation, codenamed "Operation Shield," began within days.

Teams of R&AW operatives were dispatched to hotspots identified during the riots.

In Lucknow, an officer posing as a teacher took a position at a madrasa suspected of being a recruitment center.

In Kanpur, another operative joined a local NGO believed to have ties to foreign donors with extremist leanings.

Meanwhile, the IB began its financial investigation.

Transactions flagged for unusual patterns were scrutinized.

One trail led to a foreign charity funneling money into India under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Further digging revealed that the funds were being used to print inflammatory pamphlets and finance rallies.

Rao received regular updates, which he shared discreetly with Rohan.

One report detailed how a local leader in Varanasi had been using religious gatherings to spread extremist propaganda.

Another highlighted the role of a small publishing house in Bihar that was producing incendiary literature.

As the intelligence network expanded, arrests were made, quietly and without fanfare.

Key agitators were picked up in the dead of night, their homes raided with precision.

One high-profile arrest involved a cleric who had been preaching violence under the guise of religious sermons.

When the police entered his residence in Lucknow, they found not just weapons but detailed plans for disrupting upcoming government projects.

The cleric's arrest sent a ripple of fear through the networks, but the operation continued without pause.

In one case, a team uncovered a hidden stockpile of funds in Kanpur a combination of cash, gold, and foreign currency.

The discovery shed light on how these groups financed their operations and led to the detention of a prominent financier.

Throughout the operation, Rohan remained adamant about maintaining balance. "We are fighting extremism, not faith," he reminded his team during a late-night briefing. "For every arrest, we must ensure that we're also building bridges. Engage with moderate voices. Show them that this isn't about targeting a community, it's about protecting the country."

To this end, the government launched parallel initiatives to improve education and employment opportunities in affected areas.

Community leaders who supported modernization and peace were invited to work with the government, creating a counter-narrative to extremist rhetoric.

Weeks turned into month as Operation Shield continued.

By the end of the first phase, over 200 individuals had been arrested, and several extremist networks had been dismantled.

The public remained largely unaware of the scale of the operation, as Rohan had intended.

What they did notice was a newfound sense of calm protests had dwindled, and reports of violence had ceased.

Little did they know that more then 500 people has been arrested since riots started.

As Neeraj entered with another stack of reports, Rohan looked up and said, "Tell Rao and Atma they've done well. But remind them this is just the beginning."