A young soldier advanced and I drew to a halt, “Namaste. Where’s your pass sir? I need your pass.” The end of the road and with no signs to warn me - no clue on the map, I found myself in a forbidden place. Establishment “Two Two” is a top secret location, an innocent foreigner, but I’d just been ‘nicked’!

“I have no pass sir, nor can I return. There’s a landslide behind me about 15 Ks back. Please call your CO and ask him to come.” I sat on the bike and awaited my fate.

The chief came but he wasn’t a soldier, DI Pandey, wasn’t happy, I’d disturbed his lunch. “Turn back or I’ll arrest you! You must turn back now!”

I bowed and kowtowed and addressed him as “Ji Sir”. I showed him the photos of the landslide I’d crossed. “Turn back or I must arrest you!” We’d reached an impasse so I walked away. Walk away, play for time, and ‘sleeve’ your last card.

Then as if in a movie and right on time, the Cantonment Commander pulled up in his jeep. I caught his eye, flashed a plea for his help and walked to the bike to allow them to talk.

I played my last card and laid out the map for all to see. I presented my case and stood back to make space. “Sir, there’s no road by which to return. The road is blocked further down, by a landslide. I was luck men helped me to carry the bike across. To return is too dangerous, I can’t go back. Sir you must arrest me.”

Poker-faces all round the chiefs conferred; and an answer came quickly. “You will follow the Inspector’s jeep through the forest. My man is with them to assist you if need be. They will take you through the cantonment to continue your journey.”