Precision Strike
Far away, in the rooftop studio of Hindustan National Television in New Delhi, Dr. Rani sat before the cameras in a traditional Indian kurta, holding forth as he always did on his show Indian Political Commentary. His openings were invariably long and sharp. During the pauses, the cameras cut to the two pilots on the sofa beside him. Goyal was now wearing his Vayu Sena Medal. The programme was pre-recorded, so his mind occasionally drifted. The war had started, and here he was, listening to a right-wing old man dispense patriotism.
"…Viewers across the nation, believe me: this is a just war. We will never, as the enemy does, slaughter indiscriminately. That is the tradition of our nation and our armed forces. The Indian military relies on superior technology and resolute determination to repel aggression. This is precision strike. We hold indiscriminate attacks on civilians in contempt. That is the most significant difference between ourselves and our enemies, whether Pakistan or its backers lurking behind the scenes. Now, let me ask our young men: are you confident you can win this war?"
Dr. Rani turned, his steely gaze falling on the two pilots.
"This is Flying Officer Goyal.1 Viewers, we are told he single-handedly shot down two enemy aircraft. Is that correct?"
Goyal took a deep breath. He could see Rujadnahan seated behind the cameraman, watching him with a blank expression. He was certain the director would halt the recording if he said anything out of line.
"That's correct."
"A technological victory, then?"
"Yes. Our aircraft can detect the enemy at greater range and strike them."
"But you faced two opponents, and you were alone."
"True, but they only had short-range missiles. They could barely fight back."
"Oh? Short-range missiles only?" Dr. Rani said with a sneer.
"Yes. Old-fashioned Magic missiles."
"And we have long-range missiles?"
"Yes. Range in excess of a hundred kilometres. Theirs can manage about ten." Goyal was fluent here. This exchange had been agreed between Rujadnahan and Dr. Rani thirty minutes before taping. The Ministry had decided that letting the public know the enemy was feeble would strengthen confidence in the wartime government.
"I see. So it was like two monkeys trying to take on an elephant?" Dr. Rani asked. Thirty years earlier he had earned a biology doctorate at the University of Michigan, so animal metaphors came readily.
"Ah… more or less." Goyal nodded reluctantly. He did not, in his heart, appreciate anyone comparing his fighter to an elephant.
"Flying Officer, the Ministry tells me that in this engagement the enemy deployed a new type of fighter, imported from a certain ally."
"Yes. They call it the Thunder. On our identification charts it's the JF-17."
"And how does it perform?"
"Well… certainly not as well as our Su-30MKI. It's only a light… ground-attack…"
"A mess, in other words?" The doctor cut through Goyal's equivocation.
"I suppose so."
Rani paused, smirking coldly.
"Flying Officer, would you agree that the aircraft manufactured by our own HAL are extremely formidable?"
"Yes, sir. I agree completely."
"Our aircraft can effortlessly destroy all these enemies at once, because our radar sees them at greater range and our missiles fly farther?" Dr. Rani was reinforcing the message of inevitable victory in the public's mind. As a staunch BJP supporter, he unfailingly promoted these views on his programme.
"We have the most advanced phased-array radar. It can detect them at extreme range. In fact, the Su-30MKI can simultaneously track thirty targets and engage eight priority targets." Goyal recited the figures. He knew the numbers were not real.
"Ha. I almost feel sorry for these Pakistani pilots." Rani shook his head with a cold smile.
Goyal glanced past the cameraman at Rujadnahan. The director was smiling and nodding approvingly. The answers had not disappointed him.
"Very good. Now let us hear from our second hero." Rani turned to Captain Rawal.
"This is Captain Rawal of the Trident squadron. Yesterday, he shot down an F-16 that had violated our airspace. This is the most advanced weapon in Pakistan's arsenal."
"Yes." Rawal's reply was terse.
"The F-16 is not to be underestimated, is that right?"
"Correct. It is Pakistan's most powerful aircraft."
"Which means it too can fire long-range missiles?"
"Yes. This aircraft can fire long-range missiles."
"A formidable opponent indeed."
Goyal noticed that the doctor treated the F-16 with considerably more respect than he had the Thunder.
"Can you describe the engagement?"
"Certainly. They were bombing our ground forces. My flight detected them and opened fire."
"Their escort launched AIM-120 missiles at us, but we turned sharply." The captain made a slicing gesture with his hand. "By flying this way, we put the enemy at our three o'clock. This manoeuvre meant their radar could see us but could not maintain a good track."
"Excellent. And then?"
"Then?"
"Meaning they couldn't escape our missiles?"
"Yes. I believe our missiles were somewhat better." The doctor was coaxing the pilot along.
"Tell me, besides the F-16, what other aircraft did they send?"
This was an impromptu question, not in the agreed script.
"One Thunder." The captain said.
"Hmm? This aircraft again? They seem very fond of fielding this cheap product."
"Yes."
"Did it threaten you?"
"Not at all. We were outside its range."
"Why didn't you shoot it down as well?"
"The MiG-29's fire control isn't as advanced as the Su-30MKI that Flying Officer Goyal flies. It's difficult to engage multiple targets simultaneously."
"So you chose the higher-value F-16." Rani had by now reversed the actual sequence of events entirely.2
"I… suppose…"
"Very good. You made the right decision." Rani cut off the captain's stammering and delivered his own verdict.
"Captain, this is a Russian-built aircraft?"
"Yes."
"And the more advanced Su-30 is made in India?"
"That's right." Both pilots answered simultaneously.
"Viewers, the picture is now clear. Although our advantage is already overwhelming, we still face certain challenges. As we close this programme, we hope that HAL will build more and even more powerful fighters."
1. Goyal's rank: Dr. Rani addresses Goyal as 中尉, which the earlier chapters established as Flying Officer. Rujadnahan had called him 上尉 (Captain/Flight Lieutenant) in the previous chapter, reflecting his promotion. The broadcast uses his lower rank, either because the producers had not updated his file or because "Flying Officer" sounds more relatable to the audience. ↩
2. Reversal of events: In reality, Rawal's flight shot the F-16 first (an easy kill on a climbing, post-strike aircraft), and only then was blindsided by the Thunder, which went on to destroy three MiG-21s. Dr. Rani's questioning reorganises this into a narrative where the pilot heroically chose the tougher target and dismissed the Thunder as beneath notice. The propaganda inversion is the chapter's central irony, juxtaposed with the mosque destroyed in the preceding chapter. The title "Precision Strike" operates on two levels: the military doctrine Rani extols, and the precision with which the state manufactures its version of events. ↩