Scene 1 – A Call in the Night
The house of Major Zayan Malik in Islamabad was dimly lit that night. The clock showed 9:00 PM. Zayan was lying in bed beside his wife, Samra, who was reading a book quietly under a soft lamp. Zayan's eyes were heavy with fatigue after an exhausting day at ISI headquarters. Just as he was about to drift into sleep, his phone vibrated sharply on the side table.
He reached for it. The screen flashed "Army Chief – General Mushtaq Siddiqui."
Zayan immediately sat upright. Samra looked at him with concern.
"Another call from HQ?" she whispered.
Zayan put his finger on his lips gently and answered.
"Sir, Zayan speaking."
General Mushtaq's firm voice echoed from the other side.
"Zayan, tomorrow morning you will face the international media. You will sit in front of them and present every shred of proof we have—videos, documents, recordings—everything about those seven paratroopers. The world must know they are not trainee officers but RAW spies who infiltrated under the cover of an 'exercise'."
Zayan's heartbeat quickened. "Understood, sir. I'll make sure no loophole is left."
"Good," General Mushtaq said. His tone was resolute. "This isn't just about ISI, Zayan. This is about Pakistan's honor. Handle it with precision."
The line disconnected. Zayan lowered the phone slowly, his face stiff with determination.
Samra, still watching him, asked softly, "What happened?"
Zayan exhaled deeply. "Tomorrow, the world will see what India was trying to do. It's time we unmask their lies."
Samra reached for his hand and squeezed it. "Then speak with truth. The world listens when truth is spoken with conviction."
Zayan nodded, silently promising himself he would not falter.
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Scene 2 – The Press Conference Begins
The following morning, the Pakistan Army Media Wing Hall in Rawalpindi was packed with journalists, flashing cameras, live broadcast vans, and translators from BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, and other international outlets.
At 10:00 AM sharp, Major Zayan Malik walked onto the stage wearing his immaculate army uniform, chest gleaming with badges. He saluted smartly, then adjusted the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the international media," Zayan began, his voice calm but commanding. "Thank you for attending this urgent press briefing."
Behind him, a massive digital screen displayed the heading:
'Evidence of Indian RAW Agents Infiltrating Pakistani Territory'
Journalists leaned forward, pens ready, cameras flashing.
Zayan continued:
"Two nights ago, India claimed that seven of their paratroopers, during a so-called routine training exercise near Bhuj, accidentally crossed into Pakistan due to a technical fault in their aircraft. They demand their return, labeling them as 'trainee officers.'"
He paused, letting the silence grip the hall.
"Pakistan, however, holds evidence to the contrary. These men were not trainees. They were trained RAW operatives, deliberately inserted into our territory under the guise of an accident."
Gasps echoed. A few reporters began typing furiously.
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Scene 3 – Presenting the Proof
Zayan gestured to the screen. A video began to play.
First clip: Night-vision drone footage of the C-130 flying low, off-course, then opening its hatch. Seven figures parachuted down near the border region of Hyderabad.
"Observe carefully," Zayan narrated. "The drop did not occur randomly. This was a precise insertion pattern, coordinated and rehearsed."
Second clip: Footage of ISI extraction team, led by Salman and Rizwan, capturing the operatives alive, with GPS trackers, encrypted radios, and advanced surveillance equipment hidden in their gear.
Zayan paused the video and held up photographs of seized items.
"These are not standard military training tools. These are high-grade intelligence gadgets—satellite communicators, encrypted USB drives, maps of Pakistani military installations, and false Pakistani identity cards prepared in advance."
He let the evidence sink in, then displayed another slide: Confessions from preliminary interrogation.
One captured operative admitted on camera, his voice trembling, "We were ordered to infiltrate quietly…to map radar stations…to pass information to RAW handlers in Gujarat…"
The hall buzzed with murmurs. Several journalists exchanged astonished looks.
Zayan raised his hand to silence them.
"This confession is verified by forensic voice analysis. Every fact matches the evidence recovered."
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Scene 4 – Journalists Question
Immediately, hands shot up.
A CNN correspondent asked, "Major Malik, are you claiming this was a deliberate espionage attempt sanctioned by the Indian government?"
Zayan responded firmly, "Yes. The evidence proves coordination at the highest levels. No pilot accidentally flies a C-130 across such a heavily monitored border without orders."
An Al Jazeera reporter followed: "If they are indeed spies, what will Pakistan do with them?"
Zayan replied, "They will be dealt with according to international law for espionage and hostile infiltration. Pakistan will not return them under any diplomatic pressure."
A BBC journalist interjected, "But the Indian government insists they were on a routine training mission and is threatening to take the matter to the International Court of Justice."
Zayan leaned closer to the mic, eyes sharp.
"They may go to ICJ if they wish. We welcome it. Because Pakistan holds undeniable, documented proof. Let the world judge between truth and fabrication."
The hall erupted with more camera flashes. The press conference was turning into a battlefield of narratives.
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Scene 5 – India's Response
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Indian officials watched the live broadcast with tense faces. Within minutes, the Indian Defence Ministry issued a statement:
"These allegations are baseless. Our officers were conducting a parachute training drill. Technical malfunction caused their accidental landing across the border. We demand their immediate release. Pakistan's so-called 'evidence' is fabricated propaganda."
The statement was read on Indian national TV channels. Anchors debated fiercely. Some called Pakistan's claims "an elaborate lie." Others admitted the footage looked damning.
At the same time, a stern-faced Indian spokesperson added:
"If Pakistan refuses to return our officers, India will move the case to the International Court of Justice."
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Scene 6 – Pakistan's Defiance
Back in Rawalpindi, after three long hours of questions, cross-questions, and presentations, the press conference came to an end.
Major Zayan stood tall at the podium for his closing remarks.
"Pakistan is a peaceful nation, but we will never tolerate infiltration on our soil. To the international community, we say this: the truth has been placed before you. The choice now lies in your hands—to see reality or to ignore it."
With that, he saluted and walked off stage. The cameras followed him until the hall emptied.
In the corridors outside, Ubaid, Salman, Rizwan, and the rest of Phantom Team were waiting for him.
"Sir," Ubaid said with a grin, "that was brilliant. You crushed their lies in front of the world."
Zayan managed a tired smile. "This was just the beginning. Their next move will be far more dangerous. Stay ready."
The team nodded, eyes burning with determination. The battle of narratives was over, but the shadow war had only begun.
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