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For Fernandez, the problem was the deployment into Haa-Dzong. Since it was clear that any area north from there was unsecured and possibly under enemy control, he felt very uncomfortable.

With the two Mi-26s and three Mi-17s providing heavy airlift capability, Fernandez had decided to move the required hardware in six to ten overall round trips with each trip lasting about one hour. That was about as fast as they could do it. The problem was that General Potgam would have the first eyes over Thimpu imminently. And he may have targets lined up for him by the time Fernandez landed. But with only a third of his needed presence he wouldn’t be able to deliver much punch just yet.

Potgam is not going to be happy…

He stomped out of the command trailer, closed the entrance behind him and headed across the ground in time to see the two Mi-26 engines groaning under the strain of the cargo hanging underneath. Several minutes later they were heading down the valley. Two of the Mi-17V5s followed behind, lifting some of the lighter equipment including the DIGICORA metrological radar and a stripped down command vehicle. The third helicopter was on the ground and soldiers from the battery were loading necessary light equipment into its cabin.

“Just tell me you have everything under control here!”

Fernandez shouted over the helicopter noise to his second-in-command, who would now command the remainder of the deployment from here while Fernandez headed off in the last helicopter of this batch to Bhutan.

“Yes sir! What’s the logistical support over there? Where are we going to get resupplied from?” the Major asked.

That was a good question!

Fernandez didn’t know the answer. He wasn’t sure if even Potgam had the answer for that just now. Fernandez threw the cigar butt on to the snow.

“I will let you know when I find out! There are no pre-located AFARP locations over there as far as I know!” He said finally.

Northern Sikkim was dotted with pre-selected and pre-stocked Artillery-Forward-Area-Rearming-Points or AFARPs. These well hidden and well stocked supply locations allowed for rapid artillery deployments and longer periods of intensive operations. The supplies included ready-to-fire rockets for the Pinaka Batteries as well.

“Nobody figured we would be fighting a pitched battle with the PLA inside freaking Bhutan! You know what they say about battle plans, right? We can only hope that Warlord has gotten a ground convoy moving up to his location with rockets for us to fire. Or else we can say goodbye to Bhutan forever!” Fernandez said as they watched the last Mi-17 prepare to leave.

“Well good luck out there, sir!” The Major said.

“See you on the other side, Major!”

Both men shook hands before Fernandez jogged over to the waiting helicopter. Soon the helicopter increased power and lurched into the sky, steadily climbing away towards the mountains around Gora La before turning south down the valley.

NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY

DAY 6 + 0120 HRS

“Incoming reports have confirmed that Indian warplanes have shot down a civilian airliner carrying hundreds of displaced refugees over the Taklimakan desert. Refugees have been fleeing from the fighting in Tibet where the brave soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army are fighting off the India aggression. Other reports indicate that the civilian terminal at Hotien airport has also been bombed. Civilian casualties are in the hundreds. China asks the western nations to condemn these cowardly Indian attacks against innocent civilians. We welcome the news that Pakistan has joined China in condemning India for the attacks and hopes that the rest of the world’s nations will follow the example. China has formally asked the United-Nations-Security-Council to meet in an emergency meeting to discuss these incidents.”

NORTH OF THIMPU

BHUTAN

DAY 6 + 0320 HRS

“They didn’t leave much standing, did they?” Vikram whispered.

“That’s a big negative!” Ravi agreed from his position further away.

“Cut the chatter! Let’s move in for a closer look. Spear-four and — five are on over-watch with the LMGs. Rest are on me! Let’s see if any of the RBG guys are still alive out there. Move!”

Captain Pathanya said over the team VHF intercom speaker before bringing up his INSAS rifle scope up. He surveyed the fires around the small village on the other side of the bridge. There was no activity inside the village other than the odd burning wooden roof structure collapsing within the walls.

Soon the rest of his ten-man team came cautiously out of the bushes near the road and headed towards the bridge with their weapons drawn and pointed towards the village. Pathanya was the first to run up to the edge of the road and remained low as he brought his rifle up again. Two seconds later the rest of the team was in nearby locations and had the road covered. Vikram had an IMFS set up to survey the hills on the other side.