Operation Hornet: The Untold Story of India's Covert Mission Against ISI

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The year was 1987. In the narrow alleys of Pakistan, the most cherished agent of the ISI was running for his life like a rat. After a brief chase, the motorcycle-riding RAW agents vanished. The ISI operative, gasping for breath, shivered with the close encounter with death. He thought his bravery had saved him, but as he sighed with relief, the RAW agents reappeared, and in a barrage of nine bullets, the butcher who had claimed thousands of innocent lives in India lay dead. Meanwhile, in Paris, Jindal’s phone rang, and the voice on the other end confirmed, “Operation Hornet successful.”

The Beginning: A Nation Under Siege

Three years earlier, in 1984, India was reeling from a series of terrorist attacks. Over 100 attacks had occurred, claiming around 500 lives. Amidst this chaos, the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October further shattered the nation’s morale. Far away in London, Abdul Khan laughed with the ISI Chief, vowing to inflict wounds on India that it would never recover from. Abdul Khan, orchestrating daily attacks from London, believed he could fracture India. Little did he know, RAW agent Sanjeev Jindal was standing as a rock between Khan and his sinister plans.

A Rock Against Terrorism: Sanjeev Jindal

Sanjeev Jindal, with every breath dedicated to his country, was determined to show India’s enemy the gates of hell. In November 1984, Jindal, after meeting his former clerk Lee, was troubled by secret documents revealing that Abdul Khan was in cahoots with ISI Chief, Pakistani Defense Secretary, and fugitive Khalistani Sandhu. These documents indicated that Khan and Sandhu had both funding and network ready to create a situation in India similar to the unrest in West Pakistan during the 1970s. Jindal realized Khan had to be stopped immediately to prevent countless innocent lives from being lost.

The Plan: Operation Hornet

Upon reaching Delhi, Jindal briefed his boss, Anuj Bharadwaj, about Khan’s plans. Bharadwaj, after a two-hour meeting, asked Jindal if he had any plan to counter Khan. Without hesitation, Jindal suggested that Khan had to be eliminated in London. Bharadwaj, initially shocked, was convinced by Jindal’s confidence and the necessity of the operation. Thus, Operation Hornet was born, aimed at taking down ISI’s favorite operative under their nose.

The Challenges Ahead

Abdul Khan, backed by the Pakistani Army and ISI, had been living in London for years, enjoying the protection of both London police and ISI officers. His residence was a fortress where even air couldn’t enter without permission. However, Jindal was determined to breach this fortress.

Gathering Intelligence

In January 1985, in Paris, Jindal met with his agents Clark and Mohan to discuss the details of Operation Hornet. The operation was divided into two phases: intelligence collection and target elimination. Clark and Mohan would handle the first phase in London, while Jindal would oversee the second phase. Clark and Mohan, upon arriving in London, found a weak link in Khan’s chain, his gardener Tariq Siddiqui. By offering money, they turned Siddiqui into an informant, who provided them with details about people visiting Khan’s house.

The Network Unfolds

The operation continued for ten months, with Siddiqui supplying information. However, photographs of the visitors were still missing. Eventually, Siddiqui agreed to provide letters coming to Khan’s house, revealing key information about Khan’s network and financial transactions. This included transfers to Sandhu and his bodyguard Harbhaksh, confirming the ISI connections.

The Austrian Connection

Meanwhile, Jindal traveled to Austria to meet his informer Sophie, who had worked with him for a decade. Sophie introduced Jindal to Harpreet Ahuja, a former associate of Sethi, an American businessman linked to ISI. Ahuja, having noticed Sethi’s suspicious activities, quit his job and agreed to help Jindal gather evidence against Sethi. This evidence was crucial in exposing the financial backing of Khan’s operations.

Breaking the Network

Clark and Mohan, using the information from Amardeep, a fugitive seeking citizenship, unraveled Harbhaksh’s activities. With enough evidence, they handed it over to British authorities, leading to raids on Sandhu’s properties. Though Harbhaksh escaped to Pakistan, Sandhu was arrested, dealing a significant blow to Khan’s network.

The Final Countdown

As the pressure mounted, Jindal intensified his efforts to eliminate Khan. A breakthrough came when Siddiqui informed Jindal about Khan’s travel plans to Pakistan. In May 1987, Khan, feeling invincible, was unaware that RAW agents were closing in on him. Despite a narrow escape during a market chase, Khan couldn’t evade his fate. The RAW agents, relentless in their pursuit, executed Khan, ending his reign of terror.

Conclusion: A Nation’s Gratitude

Operation Hornet was a testament to the bravery and dedication of India’s unsung heroes. Sanjeev Jindal and his team, through meticulous planning and relentless pursuit, dismantled a network that threatened India’s security. The successful elimination of Abdul Khan marked a significant victory in India’s fight against terrorism. These brave soldiers, often working in the shadows, ensure our safety and sovereignty, reminding us of the sacrifices made for our peace.

In the end, as Jindal and his team celebrated their hard-earned victory, they felt an immense sense of pride in their contribution to their nation’s safety. This operation, though secret, will forever be remembered as a monumental chapter in the annals of India’s covert operations.