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21:15 Hrs Kings road, LA

Lightening struck the sky followed by thunder rumbling across the sky. It was the darkest of the nights, but the thought running through all the minds present was to catch hold of the suspects that had held hostage a family in the apartment named Dreamview – 49/6 king’s road, LA. We had surrounded the apartments from all sides as to ensure the suspect from escaping the battlefield. Battlefield?? Yes battlefield, the entire scenario not less than a battlefield with police cars, Vans and ambulances surrounding the apartment. The negotiators were on their way to have a dialogue with the suspects. Until then it was in our hands to control the situation. Even special reserved forces had rushed in and were just waiting for the final signal to get into the apartment.

We were unable to identify the suspects in the dark and had masks on their faces. It was even hard to identify in what numbers they were present. There was every possibility of the suspects being heavily armed and could cause some serious damage.  The suspect had held hostage a family on the 7^th floor of the apartment and cleverly blocked all the possible in ways into the apartment. This was a challenge for us and the entire Department i.e. CRIME CONTROL SQUAD. By this time we had a detailed map of the apartment so as to decide upon a plan of action. The only information we had was that, the hostages and suspects were on the 7^th floor which belonged to Mr. Calvin Smith. Our experts were busy evaluating the situation and preparing a plan to rescue the hostages. We were continuously announcing for other civilians in the apartment to stay calm and lock themselves from inside. A plan of action was nearly done. It was ‘Action time’.

23:10 Hrs

As planned we were suppose to evacuate all the civilians up to the 6^th floor as their lives could not be risked.  Our Special Reserved forces sneaked into the apartment one by one. The elevators were jammed by some hard substance penetrated deep within.  The commando’s crawled through the passage, on to the first floor. They saw all the doors locked from outside with some messages written on the walls in some unreadable script. I was in line with every move taking place inside. The commando’s broke the seal outside each door on the floor and pushed each civilian one after the other to the basement area. It was highly unsafe to move them outside the apartment as they would be tracked by the suspects. The Commando’s were on the move, just then “BANG…… BANG…… BANG”. I could hear 3 shots fired from inside. I tried to get an update on the situation inside but no answer. The tension was mounting up. We had no idea as to what had happened inside. I was trying hard to communicate through the microphone. Finally one of the commando’s replied “Sir, there’s a suspect at midway between 1^st and 2^nd floor”. I said “Hold Back, Don’t move ahead”. He replied “the suspect shot MACK, two on chest and the third kissed his neck, he survives, we have rushed him to basement for first-aid”. I inhaled, bullet proof jacket. Hushhhhhhh !! . Plan A had to end at first floor. 

It was clear now the suspects were large in number. It was very important for us to know the approximate number of suspects at each floor and also inside the house at 7^th floor. It was time to modify and prepare Plan B. The negotiators had rushed in by now, I explained them the story so far. I had no hopes but still I let the negotiators solve the issue amicably. The negotiators called up at 7^th floor. No response from the suspects. “They are son of a b…, keep trying”, I said. The suspects had kept us guessing as to what would be their next move. We were busy in structuring the Plan B.

00:00 Hrs

”Trrr…. Trrrr….”  Yes, it was a call from the 7^th floor. The negotiator picked the call with me and the experts connected to the line, “You BXX…., ASXXX…….bloody Americans…….”, as expected the language was slang with weird English accent and were again n again abusing the Americans.  “10 Million dollars or blow up Boooommm” suspect banged the receiver down. No negotiation. “Lemme handle it our way buddy….” I said to the negotiator. I could sense my nerves tightened to screw up these BAXXX…, Plan B was taking some shape and it had to strike, strike hard on the target.  My instincts told me it was the only option and my expertise over handling such situations for over a period of years would not let me down. Somewhere back of my mind a thought was running, “Am I risking the hostages, what if the suspects…….” But made up my mind, there cannot be half measures.

I informed the commando’s inside about the Plan B. The reserved forces had even taken their positions in apartments adjacent to dreamview. The suspects were on their target. We had a helicopter running over which gave us the information that 2 of the suspects were guarding at the top of the apartment. I replied back, “They are your target”. I knew I was risking the hostages as well as my position in the department but that’s what my job is all about, ‘it’s the damm RISK’. Everything seemed to be planned and what a terror, the suspect leaned out of the window holding the baby of MR. Smith by his leg upside down. “Get back your forces or I quit the bloody leg in my hand …… get back”, suspect yelled. The situation was getting out of control. We had to withdraw for time being. Plan B was right but just not the right time.”Hold on buddies… ”, I informed my forces.

“What the hell do you want …… you jerk”, I yelled back at the suspect through a speaker. I was loosing my cool and really wanted all the suspects lined up in front of me. “10 million dollars…… you son of a b…….” suspect replied. “Are you all donating the amount to an NGO and that’s the reason u need that?”, I questioned. “Get off u AsXXXX”, he slammed. In between the conversation Mrs. Smith ran in from behind and tried to grab the baby from the suspect’s hand. The suspect slapped her and pushed her back. Mr. Smith came to her rescue and comforted her. We could see this all happening near a window. “You better hurry up …… you sick……or else find all 3 dead”, suspect replied in anger and desperation. ”ha ha ha all 3”, I laughed in my mind. “3 hostages, around 10 suspects, two on the top, rest in between the floors, Fun again buddies………….” I comforted my forces. I thought it was the right time to take on these sick people. There could have been more hostages on the floor but that was the risk  to be taken. All mind games were ‘On’ in my mind. “Oh!! I love this…. ” I murmured. Two of my companions gave a smile and showed a thumb’s up. I vacated the area around the apartment and all police vans, cars and ambulances were off in a minute. This time it was the suspects to guess as to what was cooking?? Suspects were surprised and confused to see the area vacated. ”GO”, I instructed the forces.

 

 

1:30 Hrs

A unit of 15 commandos moved from the basement area towards the 7^th floor. Suspects visible through adjacent apartments were also on the gunpoint. 2 suspects on the top were to prey. All had to happen at one go. Bang……. Bang……… “Top cleared, Sir”, John updated from the helicopter. The Unit had reached 2^nd floor. They saw  the two suspects having a chat. ”bye bye”, Michael smiled. The 2 suspects rested in peace. Hearing the noise others from 3^rd and 4^th floor came down for attack. But they were not spared. 5^th and 6^th floor was cleared from the adjacent apartments. “Hold on Guys”, I said. I entered the apartment, quietly walked to the 7^th floor. “Final Strike buddies……” I yawned. In a flash the door was broken, the suspects opened fire back on us. Two of the leading commandos got shot and fell down but before the 2 suspects could harm Mr. Smith’s family. Final Bang……, the bullets had swiftly entered their heads. They were lying on the floor. I pulled out a cigar of the bunch, sat quietly on the rocking chair of Mr. Smith and fagged it twice. ”Game Over”, I congratulated the force.

1:55 Hrs

I hugged Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Held up the baby in my arms and kissed her.

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