22 Oct 1947: A Black day- When Pakistan invaded Jammu Kashmir

 

 

On 15 August 1947,the independent dominions of India and Pakistan were born but this birth of two nations also gave birth to many disputes. As soon as Pakistan became independent,it had its eye on the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir which was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh that time.

 

Pakistan called this plan as Operation Gulmarg and started executing it as early as 20 August, a few days after Pakistan's independence. The plan got accidentally revealed to an Indian officer, Major O. S. Kalkat serving with the Bannu Brigade. According to the plan, 20 lashkars, each consisting of 1000 Pashtun tribesmen, were to be recruited from among various Pashtun tribes, and armed at the brigade headquarters at Bannu, Wanna, Peshawar, Kohat, Thall and Nowshera by the first week of September. They were expected to reach the launching point of Abbottabad on 18 October, and cross into Jammu and Kashmir on 22 October. Ten lashkars were expected to attack the Kashmir Valley through Muzaffarabad and another ten lashkars were expected to join the rebels in Poonch, Bhimber and Rawalakot with a view to advance to Jammu. Detailed arrangements for the military leadership were described in the plan.Pakistani sources deny the existence of any plan called Operation Gulmarg. However,several evidences are available in public domain regarding the matter.

 

 

As Maharaja wanted time on the decision of accession, he decided to have a standstill agreement with both countries.Standstill Agreement was made in telegrams on 12 August 1947 which was signed by Pakistan only.No agreement was executed with India prior to the State accession on 26 October 1947.

 

On 29 August,Maharaja received telegram from one Raja Yakub Khan alleging attacks on Muslims and threatening and Raids began to take place from Pakistan into border areas of the state.On 3 September raiders attacked the village of kotha and fled back into Pakistan when chased by State army.Meanwhile,another band of 500 raiders attacked Hindu refugees at Chik Haria.The raids continued,with pak army intruding into the state on 6 and 13 September.On 17 September,400 armed raiders met in near Ranbirsinghpura and went back after exchanging fire with the state’s police.On 22 September,further raids were reported near Samba and Punch,trouble continued and state forces were compelled for a heavy hand.

 

National Conference leader Sheikh Abdullah was released from prison on 29 September 1947 to curb communal fury but the situation became more problematic.On October 4, an aeroplane engaged in military observation was seen flying between kohala and Palandri and around 400 raiders with guns and bombs surrounded Chirala.On 10 october,more raids took place in Jammu area and during night of 11,over 500 raiders entered punch area,now with better arms and support of Pak army. State’s army was gradually being destroyed and stage was being set for open invasion of the state from Pakistan.

 

 

Pakistan govt. was hitting the state by economic blockade. The imports into state were to be maintained at the normal level by Pakistan. The state was dependent on imports for major necessities of life. Most importantly cloth,petrol,salt and rice.Payment for imports had already been made in most cases but supplies were held up in Pakistan. Lack of petrol immobilized internal transport of the state. On 12 September 1947, post office at Mirpur under Pakistani control refused to accept insured covers and money orders. A week later, railway service from Sialkot to Jammu was suspended. Very soon, Pakistan Post Offices within the state refused to operate accounts of people. People suffered considerable hardships and trade came to a standstill.

 

 

On 15 October, a cablegram was sent to the British Prime Minister detailing the activities and requesting him to advise Pakistan to treat Kashmir with fairness. The telegram concluded that if Pakistan did not stop, the state would be compelled to seek friendly assistance.

 

 

In all communal fury, the invasion was planned and launched by the Army Headquarters of Pakistan and was called – Operation Gulmarg. Orders were issued through DO letters marked top secret. Conclusive proof of Pakistan Army’s direct role came to light through two different sources. First was Major Onkar Singh Kalkat. He on 20 August 1947 received an envelope marked top secret, and found inside a letter from C in C, Pakistan Army, giving a detailed plan of the operation. He called up the Brigadier and was advised not to utter a word about it. However, Pak army got scent of Kalkat’s knowledge. Consequently, he was put under house arrest in his residence but the officer made a daring escape and reached Ambala on 18 October 1947.The following day he met the authorities and told them about Pakistani plan. The second source was G.K Reddy, a journalist. On 21 October 1947,he took a trunk call and found it was from Lt-Col Alavi of Pakistan Army to API Lahore. Alavi clearly stated that the Ramkot attack would begin that night. After escaping from Pakistan, Reddy gave out his story in Blitz weekly of Bombay dated 9 June 1948.

 

According to plan, each Pathan tribe was required to enlist a Lashkar of 1000 tribesmen and separate instructions for their recruitment were issued. The entire force was headed by Maj-Gen Akbar Khan whose code name was Tariq, assisted by Brigadier Sher Khan.The outline was for six lashkars to advance along the main road from Muzaffarabad to Srinagar, Uri and Baramula with task of capturing the aerodrome and advancing to the Banihal Pass. Two lashkars from the Haji Pir Pass direct on to Gulmarg. A similar force was to advance from Tithwal for capturing Sopore, Handwara and Bandipur.

 

Another 10 lashkars for Punch, Bhimbar amd Rawalkot area were there to capture Punch,Rajouri and Jammu. Arrangements were made for detailing of guides from the so called Azad army.

 

The D day was fixed on 22 October 1947.Unaware of the invasion, units of JK regiment were already in tiny groups along the borders. The plan was well executed in beginning. The traitors of the 4 K.I holding the outposts at lohar gali and Ramkot joined the raiders,gave them information about the troops.The defenders under Brigadier Rajendra Singh dug in at Uri. He and his men had held up thousands of the enemy for four days. Raiders entered Baramula on 26 October 1947.Brutalities were made in the name of holy war. Each man tried to loot wealth and dignity of females. Even as the raiders were satisfying their lust and greed, planes of Indian troops were winging their way through skies.