Chimera

“We are on time. The second helicopter is being loaded right now. Then we just have to load the ATGMs, rockets, Cannon rounds and spare parts. We are also sending ground-crews and two of my pilots along. We need to hit the ground running once we land at Leh,” Dutt answered.

Subramanian looked over to the remaining four helicopters parked outside in the drizzle awaiting airlift. They had been covered with tarpaulins now that the rain had picked up slightly. Their main rotor blades had been removed and the tail rotor blade system locked down and feathered. Armed guards with water dripping off their INSAS rifles were patrolling the perimeter nearby even as a round of thunder ran across the clouds.

Dutt had studied both the long-term and short-term meteorological reports. It was going to be cloudy over there.

And cold like hell…

“Dutt, once you get to Leh, you are to send a detachment of two helicopters to the FARP near Saser, south of DBO, after you reach Leh. Deploy another two of your birds at Shyok. The last two will remain at Leh.”

That caused Dutt to turn around. He did not like last minute changes in plans. Subramanian continued before he could speak:

“My boy, the war in Ladakh is not going as planned for either side. The situation at DBO is a bloody mess. We have our chaps on the verge of being run over by Chinese tanks. They have beaten off the first wave of attacks, but without support they wouldn’t be able to last another. We are diverting every last Jaguar we can spare for the CAS role towards DBO until the situation stabilizes. Take your two birds there and see if you can even the odds, will you?”

Dutt absorbed what all he had been told just now. The stakes were high, and despite the politeness of his Commander, it wasn’t a request.

“What about supplies, sir? My unit has just been formed ad-hoc. It has barely a skeletal logistical and maintenance setup. You stretch us out there from Leh to Shyok to Saser, and I will be struggling to get the basic supplies and ammo sent to my guys to shoot at the reds!”

“It’s already taken care of. We have an ALH unit in Leh along with a Cheetah unit. Plus Mi-17s at Thoise. Apart from that we have half a dozen other transport and utility helicopter units in the region already or arriving as we speak. The forward detachments of 199HU will receive supplies and logistical support through these units. Use their setup to transport your special supplies. Understood?” Subramanian said.

“Yes, sir. And what about our original task?” Dutt continued.

“It still stands as far as the two birds at Leh are concerned. You will receive your intelligence update from the Army once you land there.”

“As long as the bloody weather doesn’t get in the way!” Dutt answered, putting his arm out into the pouring rain. Subramanian smiled and grunted before walking away.

KASHGAR AIRBASE

SINKIANG AUTONOMOUS REGION

CHINA

DAY 3 + 1120 HRS

Feng read the report stating that back-up radars for two S-300 batteries were now online. The handful of surviving launchers from various decimated batteries had been pooled together to bring up the semblance of two active batteries in the Aksai Chin.

Two.

Out of the original ten!

He crushed the report into a paper ball and threw it aside in a fit of rage. The Indians had conducted a very elaborate and deceptive takedown of his S-300 coverage capabilities yesterday night.

But the attacks had not been completely free of cost for the IAF either. They had lost three of their Jaguars to low-altitude point-defense weapons. Only one crewmember had been able to safely eject and make it to the ground alive. He had been quickly captured by a search party led by one PLAAF Major who had been embedded with the PLA battery commander at one of the sites.

And what a catch it is!

Feng thought about it. Group-Captain Parekh had been captured. Chinese military intelligence knew him as commander of the Indian No. 5 Squadron. The man who had led the attacks on his missile sites…

Feng looked up to catch the sound of the incoming rotor noises and saw the bright sun glistening off the Mi-17 as it approached for a landing. On the tarmac below, a group of armed guards ran off to greet the new guest of the PLAAF. As the helicopter touched down and the tires pressed against the hard concrete, the cabin door slid open and a blindfolded Indian man in his mid-forties was guided out by soldiers inside. An air-force Major also jumped out. Feng recognized him to be the man who had captured the Indian pilot.

Feng smiled as he walked over. The soldiers restrained Parekh from moving forward when Feng was in front of them. The Major snapped off a salute and Feng returned it. He then looked at the blindfolded Parekh: