Once the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru asked the young IAS probationers: Which is the most important country for India? The replies were: Soviet Russia, the United States and China. He corrected: “No,” and added, “Pakistan.” That almost continues to be the position even today. In the meantime both the neighbours have developed nuclear energy, which, the proverbial cynics feel, is just to keep each other in the proper frame of mind.
But this fact has added importance to espionage. Espionage is evil but a necessity. This is such a great “must” that today both Washington and Tel Aviv spy against each other. If somebody in Pakistan’s or India’s Interior or Home Ministries denies the existence of mutual-espionage, he would most probably be telling a lie. The Nehru-Liyaquat Pact testifies to this fact, stipulating that both the countries would (honourably) return each other’s spies to their respective countries. But probably this agreement relates to the spies in the garb of diplomats attached to the embassies. The non-diplomat spies, when caught, are not returned. Instead they, after more-than-thorough interrogation, bordering on torture, are arraigned before law. Kashmir Singh, 60 now, released on March 4 from Lahore’s infamous Kotlakpat jail is, one of them.
I have seen and met Pakistani spies in the Tihar Jail in 1975, when the entire staff of the Radiance Viewsweekly was behind the bars. One of them, a young boy named Abid, told me it was sheer “thrill” of espionage that pushed him into the quagmire. A much senior colleague of his had gone mad. Kashmir Singh is really fortunate that he, though on death row, has returned with his senses intact. His real story would never come to light. But in this day and age of openness, why the plural nation should remain in darkness about his exploits and achievements in a hostile country?
Instead of keeping up an impression-less face, the Ministry concerned should pay him his dues, keeping his periodic promotions and ranks in mind along with his pension and provident fund. After all he was on duty.
How human, touching and moving has been his reaction after his release. He expressed his gratitude to President Musharraf for granting him pardon. As a token of gratitude he went to Gurudwara Dera Sahib after his freedom. To quote him: “I don’t remember the last time I laughed.” Some Pakistanis showered rose petals on the car he was travelling in. See, how his wife Paramjeet Kaur reacted after a 36-year avoidable separation. “He sounds the same!” How wifely!? Though aging, she went dainty in a pale-green suit with golden embroidery, dull maroon bangles, tinkling on her wrist. To quote her hubby: “No ordinary woman could have taken up the challenge she took.”
Would you mind if I share a secret or two of mine? The interested quarters are always in search of “potential fifth columnists”. So periodically they send their men to me at odd hours. When I was living in 2448 Baradari Sher Afgan in Delhi, a cynic of A category came to me for help. He literally ate my brain, if any, for a while. I told him: Either vanish or I give a ring to your boss to send me in future people with sound brains.”
Now I have shifted to a trans-Yamuna colony, called Ras Vihar. Soon after my checking in the new colony, capped, bearded people with wrong pronunciations started pouring in. Not pronouncing my name correctly, one wanted to know if I could help his wife in the birth of his child, in a hospital. I submitted I have never been trained in this line. Therefore excuse me. He insisted. I called my wife and suggested: “Let us go to the hospital where our Bhabi, the wife of this gentleman, is admitted for delivery. My wife cast a glance at him and said: “I am coming. You start the car downstairs.” That was enough. In indecent hurry, he left the place. After a week another pious-looking person came to me for similar reasons. I advised him to convey my Salaam to his chief and request him to at least brief the people like you properly so that the potential fifth-columnist is trapped effectively. I told him either quit or I call on the Union Home Secretary or Director I.B. This mention treads him to evaporate into the air. This way, by sending a Kashmiri the potential fifth columnists, the latter are asked to support the “Jihad” there. If trapped, at least an increment is grafted for the officer.
Once a young Pakistani diplomat was going to his residence in New Delhi, our men started following him – bumper to bumper. The annoyed Pak diplomat alighted from his car and said: “Yaar! Look! Mine is a just brand new car. Keep distance while pursuing me. And that I don’t mind.