Dehradun, Jan. 31 -- Culinary Chronicles

November 2002, Jammu & Kashmir - an anecdote on good and traumatic reminiscences.

Pattan, a mesmerising town amidst the apple orchards with scenic scapes, yet hazardous for high militant activities during that era. After a triumphant tenure with the Rashtriya Rifles there, Tiger insisted on a road trip back home rather than flying over the valley.

Before commencing the journey, neither of us had the faintest idea that it would lead to an odyssey. We planned to join the army convoy that originated from Baramulla - a long trail of heavily guarded vehicles that were always on schedule. And! The convoy was late that noon, indicating something odd. A bomb was planted en route to blow up the vehicles ...