WebNovels

Chapter 66 - Shadows Unveiled

Scene 1 – The Container of Secrets

The cold night air clung tightly to the deserted Chaman border outpost. The headlights of military jeeps cut through the darkness, illuminating the massive container that had been seized hours earlier. A dozen ISI commandos surrounded the scene, weapons raised, as Major Tariq Bashir gave a sharp nod to his second-in-command.

"Open it," Tariq ordered firmly.

The metallic clang of the container lock breaking echoed across the barren terrain. With a slow creak, the heavy doors were swung open.

At first, crates stacked to the ceiling came into view, marked only with generic shipping codes. But when the soldiers began prying them apart, the truth revealed itself in chilling silence. Inside the first crates lay blocks of RDX and C4 explosives, neatly packed with industrial precision. Another box revealed grenades, laser-guided rifles, and specialized silencer-fitted weapons.

Tariq's jaw tightened. "Yeh arsenal ek shehar ko udaane ke liye kafi hai…" (This arsenal is enough to blow up a city.)

His men kept pulling out crates: bomb jackets wired with detonators, cartons filled with bullets and magazines. Each discovery intensified the gravity of the situation. Then, as two soldiers checked the rear end of the container, a muffled cry pierced the silence.

"Sir! Awaaz aa rahi hai…" (Sir, I hear voices.)

The commandos quickly pried open a false wooden partition. Behind it, twelve terrified girls, their ages between 20 and 21, huddled together in tears. Their faces bore signs of exhaustion and fear.

One of them whispered hoarsely, "Please… help us…"

Major Tariq's stern face softened slightly. He signaled his men to cover them with blankets and escort them out.

"These girls were to be trafficked out of the country," Tariq muttered, his voice filled with restrained anger. "Weapons and women—the same network. We've cracked something massive tonight."

He turned to his radio operator.

"Report everything. All material and evidence is to be taken into ISI custody. No leaks. We return to GHQ immediately."

The night ended with the convoy moving silently back towards Quetta, the container sealed under heavy military guard.

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Scene 2 – Return to Islamabad

Two days later, the morning sun poured softly over Islamabad's skyline. At the hospital, Sara sat by her bed, dressed in a simple shalwar kameez, her face pale but eyes stronger than ever.

The doctor entered with a reassuring smile.

"Miss Sara, aap ki sehat mein kaafi behtari hai. You're fit to be discharged now."

Sara gave a small nod. Noman, her elder brother, who had not left her side, quickly began packing her belongings. His hands trembled slightly—not from weakness, but relief that his sister was finally returning home safe.

Outside, a police SUV waited, engine running. Jibran and his team of officers stood nearby, ready to escort them.

"Ready?" Jibran asked softly.

Sara inhaled deeply. "Ji, chaliye."

The convoy rolled through Islamabad's streets, finally stopping outside their modest family home. For the first time in nearly a month—25 long days—Sara stepped into her house. She glanced around at familiar walls, her eyes misting over.

"Alhamdulillah, ghar…" she whispered.

Noman placed her bags on the sofa and smiled faintly. "Bas, ab sab theek ho jaayega."

But Sara knew it wasn't over yet. Justice still had to be served.

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Scene 3 – At the Police Station

Later that evening, Sara and Noman accompanied by Jibran drove to the central police station. DSP Farooq was already there, waiting in his office, his eyes carrying the weight of multiple battles fought over the last month.

As Sara entered, he stood up respectfully.

"Sara bibi, aap ki himmat qabil-e-tareef hai. Today, we need your help for identification."

She nodded firmly. "Main tayyar hoon."

Two suspects were brought into the adjoining room—Najma Khatoon and Qamar. Both were handcuffed, their faces twisted with arrogance. Najma's cold stare fixed on Sara, but Sara didn't look away. She stepped closer to the glass partition.

"Yes," Sara said in a clear, steady voice. "She is Najma. The woman who trapped me, who trapped so many others."

Then, turning her gaze toward Qamar, her eyes hardened.

"And he… he was the one who threatened us, the one who carried out her dirty work."

Najma let out a bitter laugh. "Tum samajhti ho ke main court mein haar jaungi? There are people far bigger than me behind this."

Sara didn't flinch.

"Main sach bolungi. Aur sach ke saamne tumhari jhoot ki koi jagah nahi."

DSP Farooq made notes, then looked at Sara seriously.

"Sara bibi, humein aap ki gawahi ki zaroorat hogi. Court mein sab kuch kehna hoga. Will you stand with us?"

Sara straightened her shoulders. "Ji. Main tayyar hoon. Jo kuch mere saath hua, main sab kehne ko tayyar hoon. Agar main chup rahi, toh aur kitni larkiyan inki shikar banengi?"

Her words filled the room with a new energy. Even Noman, who had been silently standing by, looked at his sister with immense pride.

"Tum meri behen hi nahi, tum meri hero ho," he whispered softly.

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Scene 4 – Silent Resolve

That night, Sara sat by her window at home, looking out at the quiet Islamabad streets. The moonlight cast silver patterns across her room. Despite everything she had endured—pain, captivity, humiliation—she felt a strange peace.

Noman entered quietly with two cups of tea. He set one beside her.

"Neend aa rahi hai?"

Sara shook her head. "Nahi… kal se sab kuch naya shuru hoga."

"Theek kaha," Noman replied gently. "Par yaad rakhna, tum akeli nahi ho. Main hoon, aur Allah tumhare saath hai."

Sara smiled faintly. "Aur sach bhi."

She took a sip of tea, her hands no longer trembling.

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Scene 5 – GHQ, Rawalpindi

Meanwhile, at GHQ, Major Tariq Bashir presented his findings to his superiors. Files, photographs, and seized materials lay neatly on the table: the explosives, the weapons, the trafficked girls' statements.

A senior officer, stern and thoughtful, spoke slowly.

"This isn't just smuggling. This is a coordinated network—terror financing, arms trade, human trafficking. We'll need weeks to untangle it."

Major Tariq nodded. "Sir, but one thing is clear. The capture of Najma and Qamar in Islamabad connects directly to this operation. The same syndicate."

The officer leaned back. "Good work, Major. You and your men saved thousands of lives tonight. Keep it quiet. For now, the court case in Islamabad will be the first step."

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Scene 6 – Dawn of Justice

The next morning, sunlight spilled over the capital, brighter than ever. Sara dressed modestly in a white dupatta and light-blue kameez, preparing herself mentally.

As she tied her dupatta, she whispered to herself:

"Ya Allah, mujhe himmat dena. Main sach bolne ja rahi hoon."

Her reflection in the mirror no longer showed a victim—it showed a fighter.

The first court hearing awaited.

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