The early morning Fidayeen attack on Nagrota army unit claiming the lives of three security men was alike Kaluchak terrorist attack which took place on May 14, 2002. Three terrorists dressed in combat uniform boarded a Himachal Tourism bus, moving from Pathankot to Jammu at Vijaypur (near Samba) early morning on 14th May 2002. At 6.15 AM these terrorists stopped the bus near Kaluchak, shot the driver and the conductor of the bus and opened indiscriminate fire on the passengers inside the bus. The army unit nearby fired at them and they were neutralized somewhat at 10 AM. The attack left a trail of 31 deaths including three Army personnel, 18 Army family members and 10 civilians. What is common of both the attacks is the timing –early morning. The element of surprise has remained with the terrorists and they have been striking at will. There has been an increase in terrorist strikes targeting security forces post surgical strike and the same has failed to work as a deterrent. Take it as Raheel Sharif’s parting shot or Bajwa’s welcome sign, Pakistan has been in its elements as far as India and Kashmir is concerned. It is really worrisome how and where breaches in security occurred to allow unchallenged access to the Fidayeen to the base or camp for so many kilometres inside the Indian Territory. The recent terrorist attack on Uri military camp too today looks like a case of serious security lapses. Therefore, the immediate need of the hour is to identify and plug these breaches. Besides, it is quite possible that there are sleeper cells in the area, which the local Police are unable to deal with. Some intelligence analysts say the Pakistani civilian leadership has been insisting for a while on ending support to terror in the Kashmir Valley. However, they claim that the Pakistani military leadership in Rawalpindi does not agree with Islamabad: the military feels that ratcheting up violence will increase pressure on New Delhi and force it to react, which, in turn, will compel the international community to intervene.
