We fight to win and win with a knock out, because there are no runners up in war - General J.J. Singh, Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army (2005-2007)

A/N: I will try to make all the geographic features and others like roads and buildings to be as realistic as possible..

...

Rajkot.

I admit I don't know much about it.

But I understand why the Indians are holding on so stubbornly in this area, and to make things even better the enemy offensive far north in which they managed to occupy the entire region of Kashmir along with some other places like Chandrigarh and Amritsar had definitely lost its steam, with several series of counterattacks had reclaimed some part of their state of Uttar Pradesh, as far as I read in the news section accessible at my IFS tablet.

As we're approaching the city the Captain repeated what our objectives are.

"Cikar company, your objective is to rendezvous with the element of the 2-201 Jaya Yudha near the city's Radha Meera Park, and then, we're going to move westward into the residential areas, and on our way, rendezvous with the Indian 75th IBG (Integrated Battlegroup) and clear any enemy occupying the area, and then we swung north-westward with the main objective is retaking the city's airport. After that we moved out and with Andong Company, rendezvous with the Bendi Company defending the town Morbi, before we push into the final objective, port of Navlakhi, when the UCC had installed short-range mobile coastal anti-ship missiles, and in the process we will attack the UCC HQ located in the village of Khakhrala. We want those missiles out of the way to ensure that the amphibious landing of the Indian 91st Infantry Brigade and the recently raised American 32nd and 33rd Marine Expeditionary Unit to retake the salt marsh region called Great Rann of Kutch goes unimpeded."

"Additionally in all of these operations elements of the 1st Fleet, Indian Western Naval Command, and US 7th Fleet will be in support, both ships and aircraft."

"Enemy strength in the area of operations are two mechanized infantry regiments, one light infantry regiment, and one Quds Legion armored brigade, the one that we had just encountered. Furthermore, Fedayeens, both from Pakistan and Indian collaborators were also present in the area as I speak.."

"Expect air strikes, artillery, and enemy reinforcements airlifted from Pakistan or overland via Great Rann of Kutch."

Rumble of shells falling went without ceasing as we entered the city proper, with Indian military police are assisting our movement while engineers move out any debris, and soldiers both from the Indian Army proper and it's ancillary components, visible in some group of jawans (1) that we saw are wearing patches of the BSF, the Indian Border Guard, or the CRPF, which is their equivalent of our own Mobile Brigade Corps in the National Police, manned their position in buildings or patrolling the city, ready for another mechanized assault by the enemy.

"All platoons, anyone moving and firing at us are to be shot. Including women and children. Those bastards are not sparing ours, so we will return the favor. Get ready." piped the Captain.

"Yes ma'am!" replied all the platoons.

We stood up just like before and went down the ramp as the convoy stopped just near a sprawling apartment complex.

"There are no such thing as too much air support." Ramlan told Widya as we looked at AH-64E Apaches, LCH, and AH-67 attack helicopters from India and Indonesia patrolling the city side by side with unmanned platforms, along with Indonesian Su-63s fly overhead, while a squadron of IAF Rafales and F-35s from RAF and RNZAF conducting strike mission in the northern part of the city and further into the salt marshes, interdicting enemy reinforcement and supplies.

"Sure it is, private." Widya replied.

"Speaking of our Sukhois, Sarge.. do you think that one of them is being flown by Major Paulus? One of our finest aces." Abe asked me as we marched through Juno Morbi road with snipers covered us as we're passing through high rise apartments.

"I hope so."

"He's a real badass, what I have heard that he flew like the plane is his own soul.. Special need kids, to boot.."

"Well, lower the chatter, people." I interrupted their fun.

We don't have time or manpower to clear those apartments one by one despite the Indians are in control of the city. Luckily we received assistance from the air with drones and helicopter located and took out Fedayeen snipers and AA missile operators occupying some of the building. Apparently we caught a significant Fedayeen effort to attack our forces and the Indians in the rear, as a group of CRPF police officers that we saw patrolling in foot are making contact with the infiltrators.

"Enemy down" I said as I downed yet another Fedayeen holding an M4 with a shot in the head popped up from one of the apartment's front door.

The engagement intensified which resulted in a Badak III mobile gun system with 120mm guns was called in to blast one of the enemy MG position just near a temple.

"Goodbye, ragheads" Handy cursed as he saw another M4 rifle and one PKM machine gun dropped on the street as the result of the explosion. Slowly but surely we passed through the complex with the Indians went deep into the apartment buildings and provide overwatch while we're moving into the park.

A few RPGs were fired as well, with one intercepted by the APS from the Weling we used as cover, but one fell into a squad of Indian jawans in our left flank killing a number of them.

"Be advised we have sighted Fedayeens with explosive vests..!"

"Janice, aim at anyone resembling a suicide bomber!"

"Roger" she took position near a school and fired a few shots, while we are moving, then Ramlan fired a short burst from the Ultimax into yet another pop-up Fedayeen with an AK, which dropped dead instantly, besides him Abe fired at another fighter with a suicide vest. He hit both of his feet before finishing him off with a headshot, aborting his suicide attempt permanently.

"Ack!" I can feel a 5.56 hit my torso and I fell on my back.

Agnes checked me just as one IFV fired it's 30mm nearby.

"You okay Sarge?"

"Thank God for this spider silk vest, no penetration, just need a little patch up"

"Hold on.." With a tweezer she pulled out the bullet from the vest's assembly. "Good to go!"

"And to make things better no cables got hit." I remarked to myself as we're continue our advance.

Almost two and a half hour later we finally rendezvoused with the element of the 2nd Battalion 201st Infantry Regiment just 200 meters from Radha Meera Park, which were also engaged the fedayeens. We also discovered that the park is also the said battalion's HQ, henceforth it's commanding officer Lt. Col. Firdaus Maulana was one who greeted us, in full body armor.

"Good afternoon, people. Glad to see you're coming!" he said to Capt. Wuwur who doesn't salute the Colonel for safety reasons.

"What's the situation Colonel?"

"Along with those infiltrators we and yours and the Indians had caught.. we are focusing on countering their drones and of course, their mechanized assault, in which our own air forces both manned and unmanned really messed with them in particular, those passing through the salt marsh. In the north-northwest of the city, however regular infantry of the UCC and the remnants of the mechanized 1st Battalion, 122nd Infantry Regiment from the Quds Legion, currently are heavily engaged with both ours and the Indian 75th IBG. You are to reinforce and support our allies and help clear any opposition." Colonel Firdaus said.

"Roger" replied Wuwur, She then ordered us to stop for lunch, but a very short one, before she ordered us to be back in our vehicle.

...

December 19th, 0020.

Cikar Company was moving forward with the A company of the 2-201, callsign Agas (Gnat, a species of flying insect), passing the bombed out main streets of the city slowly, but surely, under occasional mortar fire. We then stopped and dismount in front of the church in order to meet up with the Indians, and punch our way into the airport on foot.

"Company, halt, and ready to dismount" ordered the Captain again. I can see the city's roundabout from our camera and Indian troops along with ours manning the area around it with their vehicles, mostly Abhay IFVs, along the way. And at that time we also linked up with the A company of ours, callsign, Andong.

Colonel Basuki, rolled along with the A company and had took position in the city's cricket ground in the opposite direction of our company, part of a local high school, marched into a man wearing an insignia of Ashoka's Lion with one five pointed star in his collar. As Basuki and the Indian officer are both Lieutenant Colonels, they speak straight to the point by a short introduction, before they began talking about the mission. I can see two LCHs of the Indian Army flew over, heading back to the rear to refuel and rearm followed by two more of the helos, meanwhile a flight of HAL Abhaya flew from the west of the city and fired what I think as anti-radiation missiles into the airport before breaking up.

"It must be Indian Navy" said Ramlan.

"Yes.. I can see the word "NAVY" on it." I replied as I looked at the returning fighters with my binocular.

The next we know we're ordered to mount up again, with both us and the Indians are heading to the airport from multiple direction. Cikar company moved straight along the Jamnagar Road with a company of Indians from the 17 Rajputana Rifles by foot, thanks to it's surroundings are heavily bombed out by artillery and airstrikes from both sides, with addition of wrecked Caliphate and some Indian and Indonesian vehicles not yet recovered, along with debris littered the road.

"Company, halt" called Captain Wuwur again. The Indians also stopped.

"Be advised I saw four MG nests and up to three AT teams." called the commander of the 2nd platoon left of our position, Lt. Simangunsong as he scanned the area with his binocular, with infra-red detectors built in and saw movements inside two damaged office buildings; several Caliphate soldiers crouched low to avoid detection. Meanwhile Lt. Brandon had also confirmed the discovery as well.

Both Captain Wuwur and the Indian company commander, Captain Risal Singh signalled their respective sniper team to take out the threat, focusing on the MG nests. Four shots from .50 cal sniper rifles echoed down the road. Seconds later the jihadists return fire.

"Open fire!"

"Fire at will!"

I released my safety of the SS4 and began firing three-burst shots at muzzle flashes of MPT-76 battle rifles and copied German-originated MG5 general-purpose machine guns from the buildings and debris. Just like our encounter with the Quds Legion, regular rank and file Caliphate soldiers are smart enough to use cover to their advantage. To break through the Indians called their mortars, first, a barrage of 81mm before progressing to the heavier 120mm with embedded drones designated targets for guided shells of the latter, silenced the Caliphate position, however as we advanced...

"BANG" one of the 2nd platoon NCO went down by a sniper fire in the head.

"Sgt. Wahyu is down!" called a soldier.

"Sniper!" shouted another.

"Take cover!" before a heavier shot went through the suspected sniper's position, followed by three more, after almost twenty-five minutes laying low, the sniper team then piped in.

"Clear!"

Cautiously Capt. Wuwur led us through one side of the main road with the Indians on the other side, while the A company from the 2-201 accompanying us in the previous phase remained in reserve. However, from the airport the Caliphate began firing a barrage of mortars on us.

"Where on earth is A company??" I asked through the comm; Andong Company was suppossed to attack from the left flank.

"The last report indicated they are facing heavy resistance on their own in Raiya Road with five men KIA so far.. we can only wait for those sand monkeys to lift the barrage." replied Lt. Brandon.

We surged forward as the barrage has been lifted before two more MG5 machine guns opened up ahead and once again the allied forces took cover, Janice was the first to retaliate with the SS4-V7 along with other sharpshooters in the platoon. I then saw one gunner keeled over the road, dead with multiple holes on torso and neck, however his assistant gunner managed to throw a grenade before one Indian killed him with his AK-203M, while the second gunner have been dispatched by Rudi's M320. To my horror I saw the grenade landed directly on Janice's position, but before I can react she threw it back, only for it to burst in mid-air.

"Argh!" she screamed as a chunk of it hit in the right side of her belly.

"Janice, you're bleeding" said Putu as she loaded a fresh magazine to her SS4, while in her left side I took down one UCC rifleman which is reloading his MPT-76.

"I'm going to check her out. Handy, cover me!" Rudi gave Handy the order, which he executed by firing a short burst with his Ultimax while the former went into Janice, which is still aiming at anything valuable like NCOs or AT-teams. He then pulled out her individual first aid kit to dress her wounds.

Meanwhile "Abe, get a rocket to those enemies on that government building!" I said to Abe. A squad of Jihadi riflemen from a building that used to housed the city's development authority are pinning down the 2nd squad nearby.

"Will do. Clear the backblast!" He squeezed the trigger upon confirmation, the resulting explosion silenced the gunfire from the building.

I then hear a hum of engines heading on us.

"Enemy vehicles, call our armor!"

"Get the Kestrels" said the Indian captain.

Straight ahead, we saw eight wheeled Patria AMV with two among them are sporting BMP-3 100mm turret; one subsequently fired it's main gun into the position of 1st platoon, killing a few of it's soldiers before being destroyed by an SLT-6. The Indians backed the effort with their Spike missiles and 84mm Carl Gustav recoiless rifles, but only upon arrival of two Welings and two Kestrel IFV from the Indians that the enemy column and it's infantry were fully neutralized.

However a call from battalion HQ went in with a chilling message.

"This is Sampan, we've detected incoming cruise missiles, take cover!"

"Wulan 1-1 to Sampan, cruise missile is heading for Sanjari Mosque nearby" a drone operator reported.

"What the hell? Why they are not aiming it at us?" asked Agnes. However the answer is painfully clear two minutes later when our IFS tablet flashed a message "GAS DETECTED". We are immediately put our masks and MOPP garments on upon the warning, while the platoon leaders all said the same thing.

"GAS, GAS, GAS!!!"

"Get your masks on!!"

...

A/N: The Indonesians had not long been deployed but have to face a real gas attack. Cliffhanger, isn't it? What do you think about this?

(1). Jawan is an Indian and Pakistani term for (mostly enlisted) soldiers, just like Indonesians with the word Prajurit.