December 1992. We were on a tour of Baluchistan as part of our training at the National Police Academy. We had met the Chief Minister, the Governor and other top officials of the province. (I had met Nawab Akbar Bugti when I visited Quetta in late 1991 during our country study tour as part of the Common Training Programme. He was a regal man who exhibited a deep love for Pakistan, having served as Chief Minister and Governor of the province.)

We were due to leave for Karachi to start the tour of Sindh Province when it was announced that the PIA flight had been cancelled. The Deputy Commandant, DIG Dr Shoaib Suddle, called me, as I was the senior ASP of the course. He said that since we had to call on the Chief Minister of Sindh early the next morning, we would leave by bus from Quetta for Karachi.

Now imagine: 15 ASPs, one SSP and one DIG travelling in a bus from Quetta to Karachi during the night, with just one escort. We may have had one armed police official, but I do not remember distinctly.

This was Baluchistan in 1992, some years after the end of the Russian-Afghan War.

I was married in 1993 and was posted to FC Bannu in January 1994. My wife and I decided to visit Miranshah. We were both from Lahore and in our 20s. With one driver and one Kalashnikov, we departed from Bannu and went to Miranshah. We stayed the night in a mess. I still very fondly recall the respect and friendliness of the tribespeople, both in Mir Ali and Miranshah.

On the way back, we stayed for a night at Razmak Cadet College. One driver and one Kalashnikov with a single magazine were all the protection we had.

And how can I not mention the memorable time spent hunting on and around Baran Dam in Bannu? Just one gunman and friends. No other........

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