Ravindra Kaushik. (Photo: X)
The real world of espionage It is far more intense, cruel and often heartbreaking. That was the story of Ravindra Kaushik. Popularly known as Black Tiger, he was posted to Pakistan in November 1975 when he was just 23 years old. Born on April 11, 1952, in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, he grew up listening to stories of animosity and war between India and Pakistan. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce from SD Bihani PG College, Sri Ganganagar, and loved acting in theatre.
Several reports suggest that he came into contact with R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing) officials. However, one report claims that it was his theatrical skills that caught their attention, leading to his recruitment as undercover agentHe underwent two years of rigorous training by R&AW before embarking on the Project X mission. R&AW is India’s foreign intelligence agency.
For a long time, his family believed that he was in Delhi doing a normal job. As he was to enter Pakistan as an undercover agent for India, his training consisted of mastering Urdu and the religious practices of Islam. He also underwent circumcision and assumed the identity of Nabi Ahmed Shakir. His Indian identity was completely erased and he became a resident of Islamabad. Kaushik, now Shakir, enrolled at the University of Karachi and pursued a law degree. He eventually landed an administrative job in the Pakistani army.
“The material that emerged from this office was a goldmine for the agency. From his position in Pakistan’s military accounting service, Kaushik could report on the movements of military units, the postings of key officers and even the movements of trains carrying war material,” writes Praveen Swami for The Print. Between 1979 and 1983, he went on to marry a Pakistani woman named Amanat Nabi and had children with her. His work was impeccable and no one, not even his wife, suspected that he was from India.
However, his luck ran out and he lost his status as a… Indian Spy Finally, Pakistani counterintelligence revealed the records and information about Spies Although no records are kept, little information is available about Kaushik. There are different versions of how his identity was discovered. One report claims that another agent, named Inyat Masih, was sent by R&AW and was captured by the Joint Counter Intelligence Bureau of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. Another report suggests that since Kaushik had no relatives in Pakistan, the agency started keeping a close eye on him.
Kaushik was arrested and sentenced to death in 1985, but the Supreme Court of Pakistan commuted the sentence to life imprisonment. He was tortured for years in the Sialkot detention centre. After 16 years in prison, he died in Mianwali prison in Pakistan. He received no recognition for his services.
His story has been the inspiration for several books and films.
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