10 years of kaluchak attack, Nation nation has forgotten the sacrifice.

- Lt Col Darshan Singh Dhillon (Retd) Ten years back it was a fine morning when I was getting ready for going to my unit for normal routine PT parade. Childrens were also getting ready and waiting for school busses outside the houses . There was a call from the office. Call at this time when I was about to leave for unit meant some trouble some where. My fears proved right, terrorist had entered the Kaluchak Cantonment (on NH 1A short of Jammu) and that too in family quarters. Since most of the units were away deployed at border, the cantonments were guarded by only left over persons and that too mostly by low medical category persons those who were not fit for active duty as there was never a threat visualized for family quarters. As my team had already left for site, I also immediately moved for Kaluchak. My task was to clear the area of any explosive etc after the encounter so that quick relief can be provided and casualties are attended without any threat. The road to Kkaluchak was blocked but we got our way and reached quickly. The encounter was still going on and last militant was still active. Our soldiers were trying hard keeping in view the families and children trapped inside. Two militants were eliminated. These militants boarded a Jammu bound HP transport bus early morning near Vijay Pur on Jammu Pathankot highway. They just stopped the bus outside the kaluchak family quarters and killed its driver and threw two grenades targeting the fuel tank They immediately rushed towards the family quarters. The sentries at gate could hardly offer any resistance as they were too shocked and also presumed militants to be army men as they were wearing army uniforms. On crossing the gate they fanned out in all directions and entered the houses. The hell broke out and they did not even spare small childrens waiting for going to school and playing at swings. Soon the last militant was eliminated by our troops and we entered inside. This was a first ever attack targeted at ladies and children of army personnel. It was a horrible experience to enter the site with bodies scattered all around of small childrens, ladies and few elderly parents of soldiers. Two years old child sitting on a WC was also not spared. It was a creditable effort on part of our medical setup at jammu that about 65 people who could be evacuated to MH Jammu alive did survive. Lt Col Manmohan Harjai kept standing in OT for more than thirty six hours and it was his efforts that anyone who reached MH alive could be saved. There were 47 wounded including 12 Army personnel, 20 Army family members and 15 civilians but 27 ladies and children were not that lucky and died on spot. A total of 31 people died in the incident. One of the JCO who was away at border lost both his school going kids. Anyone who was associated with incident can never forget it in their life time. All the three terrorists killed in this incident were Pakistani Nationals , their names were Abu Suhail of Faislabad Pakistan, Abu Murshed (Mohammed Munir) of Salamatpura ( Rahwali Cantonment) Gujranwala Pakistan and Abu Javed (Amzad Salam Bin Mohammed Gisha) of Guda Giriya Gujranwala, Pakistan. Certain food items like biscuits and chocolates found on the persons of the terrorists revealed that they were purchased from Zafarwal 10 years have passed since, Nation has forgotten them. Not even a candle is lighted on this day.Today when I passed through the same place a lot has changed. Highway has been fourhanded, gate has been closed but what has not changed is my memories of that fateful day, the blood stained swings and the cries of ladies and children of our brave men. God bless their souls.