After
the hard training program, an unexpected but good news came of his selection
for 12 were sniper course. The other guy was Gul who by chance was from his unit. Hashim was more educated and senior. He had
better command over English language which was of course going to help him
during foreign course.
In
the next two weeks their necessary documents were completed and they were
allowed to go to their homes for five days. On the way to home Hashim bought
some clothes for Romana & his father as it was his first visit after
promotion. Romana was as usual very delighted and did not allow him to go out
anywhere during his short visit. Hashim always tried to fulfil her desires
& wishes as they loved each other too much. Before leaving home, He told
Romana & his father about his foreign commitment but promised to be in
regular contact.
It
was a hot night when Hashim & Gul flew from Islamabad airport for New
Jersey. It was their first Air travel and was a long flight with two transits.
They talked a lot & enjoyed the travel but Romana remained in the thoughts
of Hashim.
An
officer from Pakistani embassy welcomed them at New Jersey Airport and helped
in completing official formalities there. He remained with them during a two-hour
road travel to o the specific cantonment area. Although they were tired of long
air travel but enjoyed natural beauty and huge buildings on the way.
On
reaching administrative bloc of cantonment, detailed scrutiny of their
documents was done followed by a short documentary giving them a view of area
in which they had to stay for next twelve weeks and facilities available
there. All the facilities including hostels
for male & female participants, mess, club, sports room, gym and other
needs of course were available there. They both were fascinated and found
themselves lucky for being selected in course. It was going to be altogether a
new experience.
They
were guided to their room. The rooms of
all male participants were in one block while the block of female snipers was
on the other side of big grassy park with jogging track all around it. Each
room was for two persons and all the rooms were park facing. They were allotted
room on ground floor. A wide covered area had been designed in front of rooms
on each floor having chairs and a variety of plants at equal distances It all
had added to the beauty of place. The interior of room was very comfortable and
had all facilities including attached spacious wash room and small space to be
used as kitchen. Overall environment was not less than a Five-star hotel.
at
lunch time Hashim & Gul walked to
dining room which was adjacent to female block. A bar room was built on upper
floor of dining hall. The menu had some continental along some fast-food items.
During lunch they met officers from other countries who had reached by that
time. All were very courteous and friendly.
Some countries had sent teams
comprising of a male & one female. American team was one of those.
Hashim
had just finished his food that American female sniper came to their table and
sat with them. She introduced herself as captain Mary She was very
beautiful& smart. Apart from her attractive figures she was also smiling
& friendly. She was glad to know that Hashim could understand & speak
English fluently. They had a general discussion on journey & weather. Gul
remained quiet during all that time as he was unable to understand other
language. Indian snipers Vijay & Dileep sat next to their table and tried
to divert the attention of Mary towards them but she just smiled and continued
her discussion with Hashim. She took interest in knowing about Pakistan.
They
took rest in evening and had a sound sleep at night as were tired of long
travel. Next morning there was orientation program in conference hall where all
visiting officers were officially introduced to others and a briefing was given
to them about the schedule over there. They were briefed about theoretical
& practical sessions having marks of each stage. Major Thomas also informed
the details of prize money to be given at end of twelve-week training course to
three top teams.
At
the end of that day’s long session, Hashim & Gul decided to have a walk on
the track. It was a cloudy afternoon with slight cold breeze blowing. Indians
were jogging there and had crossed them twice. They walked slowly enjoying
view, weather and talking about facilities there.
Mary
was also there jogging. She had worn tight jeans & very thin dark colored
blouse which looked very nice on her white skin. She after jogging for some
time started taking small steps. Gul noted and said “Mary has slowed pace.”
Hashim kept quiet but started watching her closely. After some minutes Gul said that probably she
wanted company. Hashim at that time thought that she was tired. Gul smiled and
said “She is not an ordinary lady but an army officer.”
Few
minutes later they reached near Mary. She was taking very small steps rather
dragging herself on right edge of track. Hashim for courtesy sake asked, “Are
you well?” She gave an attractive smile and started walking on their pace. She
then cheerfully asked, “Can I join you?” Hashim replied “oh yes, our pleasure.”
Gul slightly pushed his partner with his elbow signaling him that he had very
rightly read her body language. They had a general chat and walked for some
time and then before leaving Mary shook hand with Gul and hugged Hashim. They
both were surprised the way she had gone frank in short time.
On
the fourth day, the first practical shooting was planned. all the snipers were
taken to shooting area on luxury coaches. On reaching there, a comprehensive
briefing was given by Major Thomas about the rules to be followed. Gul could
not understand much. The shooting area had all modern facilities and was quite
different to the one where Hashim & Gul used to practice in Pakistan.
There
was a shooting track in which every team was to come on turn & shoot at
target. The target was a type of a small statue. The shooter need not to move
himself to increase or decrease the distance whereas a remote control was fixed
on track to shift target from one point to another asper convenience. The
distance of target could vary from 200m to 2000meters. A big screen had been
installed on one side to have a clear view of the posture of shooter and the
target.
Points
scoring depended on distance and where statue was hit. Maximum points were for
the bullet that hit forehead. Small microphones were installed both at the
point of shooter & the target which produced a nice sound effect of whole
process. All the teams and management had very clear view of whole procedure
from their comfortable chairs.
Hashim
& Gul stood on one side for some minutes to familiarize with new
environment. Hashim availed the time to brief Gul in urdu about the rules of
game which Maj Thomas had recently told. Gul listened to his partner but did
not agree. He was trying to tell Hashim that Vijay had explained things in
different way. Hashim did not get time to make rules of game clear to him as
final bell rang to be seated quietly.
Other
snipers started firing. They selected distances as per their convenience &
capability. The performance of each
shooter was visible on big screen.
As
soon board blinked “Pakistan” Gul picked rifle and started walking towards
track. Hashim thought that since Gul already had seen other snipers so no
confusion left. He took his position and set the target at 300m. Hashim was astonished
as it was minimum distance and Gul was capable of hitting from much more
distance. Gul sat, took his position and fired three bullets in no time at same
distance. Hashim was shocked and got up to run towards Gul as Gul would have
not been able to hear from there. By the time he could take only some steps,
Gul had fired the remaining bullets. Hashim was very annoyed and depressed on
his very poor performance Gul had
surely wasted his bullets and secured minimum marks. Hashim saw towards Gul
with angry eyes with many questions. To his surprise Gul replied “I told you
earlier that Vijay was telling his partner to fire all bullets in less seconds
in order to gain maximum mark.” Hashim
never thought that to make fool of Gul was so easy. He looked at Indian team
and found them very happy and enjoying. Gul was not so innocent or
inexperienced but had been easily trapped or hypnotized.
Hashim
took the rifle and loaded it. He saw at screen for some moments which still
showed poor performance of his partner and thought for a while. Hashim then
walked towards Major Thomas and tried to brief him that how Gul had been misled
and requested for a second chance. Thomas rejected request with a simple smile.
He while turning listened Vijay’s words “Teach him professional language.”
During
his walk to shooting track, Hashim knew that he had to show extra ordinary
performance to cover the loss and to keep his country’s name in top numbers.
He
relaxed himself and decided to shoot in laying position. He set the distance at
1250m for first bullet. So far, the maximum distance at which other shooters
had set target was at 1200m and that too on their last bullet. Thomas noted it
with keen eyes. Hashim saw the target
from rifle’s telescope a twisted the elevation knob accordingly. He then
pressed the trigger. Within fraction of seconds sound of bullet came on hitting
the target. He saw on screen to confirm that bullet had hit on forehead just
above right eye. He then pressed the
remote-control button to increase the distance to 1500m.He again set the knob
on rifle to new distance and pressed the trigger. The second bullet had also
hit the head.
By
that time, he had gained confidence so decided to further increase distance.
Words of Thomas at the start of shooting exercise came in his mind “Any target
above 1800m would be very challenging because of present breeze and cloudy
weather. Bonus points would be given on every meter above 1800m.” He thought
for a while and remembering his Allah, set target at 1900m. All the eyes were set on big screen to see
the result. Many speculated that Hashim would waste the third bullet after
having good points on first two bullets.
Gul felt embarrassed and sat quietly. Wind speed slightly further
increased which was of course not in favor of any shooter. Hashim did not waste much time and closed one
eye and pressed the trigger. Everyone was astonished as third bullet had also
hit on forehead. Mary closely watched all this and was too happy although her
own maximum distance was 1100m and her no bullet hitting forehead.
Hashim
reset the distance to 1930m. Thomas thought that he had gone crazy and was
taking unnecessary risk. He ensured the target on rifle’s telescope and pressed
the trigger. The fourth bullet had also hit the head. Mary started clapping and
others followed her except Indians. They were tight lipped.
Hashim
again loaded rifle and pressed the remote-control button to set distance at
1940m. He thought for a while and then increased the distance to 1970m. The
light had faded as sun had gone behind clouds and a slight increase in wind
pressure. The conditions were not in his favor but he could not afford any
mistake. He saw the target in telescope and focused the head again and pressed
the trigger. Sound of bullet struck all ears and loud voice of Major Thomas
came “unbelievable” He at once got up from chair and rushed towards Hashim. He
was followed by Mary.
(To
be continued)
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