It is most unfortunate that our ministers make statements without first verifying the facts. The other day, Kh Asif, our defence minister made an allegation that NAs and Kashmir was liberated by the tribals and that the Pakistan Army had refused to go and fight in the liberation of Kashmir. Being a Kashmiri himself, he has hurled an insult on the struggle of Kashmiris which was started in 1932 against the Dogra rule. The first action was taken by the people of Poonch and the ex-servicemen of the state by an open revolt in August/September 1947.There were almost over 60,000 Ex servicemen in Kashmir as per record given by Gen Shaukat Raza, who had participated in the open revolt against the MAHARAJA in as early August/September 1947. Sardar Qayyum and his Sudhan Tribe ex-servicemen were in the forefront. ALL the ex servicemen from the valley including areas up to MIRPUR were activated. Two of my late uncles also volunteered and joined the ex-servicemen of J&K from the neighbouring JHELUM.
The first Nishan e Haider was won in Kashmir by Captain Sarwar Shaheed of 2 Punjab. My unit 17 Punjab (then 4/16 Punjab)under Col NOWSHERWAN Khan (later Brig) won the maximum gallantry awards and was responsible for stopping the INDIAN offensive in TITHWAL sector having captured CHUNJ feature by deploying a gun tied by ropes with CHINAR trees for direct fire. In order to hide their true identity, code names were used – our CO was named KAMAL and Brig (later Gen) AKBAR of the famous 1951 conspiracy was nick named as ‘Tariq’. The Indians by end of November 1947 had inducted over three divisions, Gen Thimayya, Gen Atma, Gen LP Sen under the over command of Gen KALWANT SINGH. Brig Sher Ali was to take an offensive in the later part of 1948, which was called off by Liaquat Ali Khan. The offensive had been planned by Gen Gracey then C-IN-C Pak Army.
The NAs were liberated wholly by the locals with guidance from Major Brown of GILGIT Scouts and Col HASAN Khan with his J&K regiment from Bunji. Kh Asif is advised to read some books like KASHMIR CAMPAIGN 1948, Liberation of NAs by Col Sikandar, “1947- Before, During and After” by Gen Wajahat Hussain, Story of Pakistan Army 1947-1949 by Gen Shaukat Raza to know how the Army officers escorted the refugees at the risk of their lives and the role of the PAKISTAN ARMY in KASHMIR 1947-49.
Tribals were activated by Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan who had failed to muster majority in the Assembly and the Congress Government was dismissed by the GOVERNOR GENERAL on 21 August 1947. Khan Qayyum, CM of NWFP being a Kashmiri tried to cash on this opportunity. The tribal groups were most disorganized and went into Kashmir without any clear cut Aim and Objective. As per official history, “KASHMIR CAMPAIGN-1948” how the Srinagar Airport could not be captured before the Indian Army. To quote “2000 tribesmen under Major Khurshid were assigned to capture Srinagar AIRPORT, these tribesmen ignored the requests of their commander and spent 5-7 valuable days in looting MUZAFFARABAD. However Major Khurshid managed to get about 400 tribesmen but as they got to BARAMULLA they again started looting and looted the Convent there and spent another 3 valuable days there. Major Khurshid managed to reach Srinagar with only 25 men, by that time the INDIAN ARMY had already occupied the Srinagar Airport. The rest is history. Why anyone from AJ&K or by the party of Sardar Qayyum has not responded to the unfounded allegation by Kh Asif on the role of Kashmiris and Pakistan Army is not understood. The truth is that NAs were wholly liberated by the locals with the help of Gilgit Scouts under the guidance of Major Brown and Maj Hasan Khan of J&K unit from Bunji.
Kashmir was similarly liberated by the local ex-servicemen after their revolt in Poonch in August/Sep 1947, later Sardar Qayyum fired the first shot and Sardar Ibrahim joined. Tribals came much later and at places played a negative role like wasting 7 days in looting Muzaffarabad and another three days in looting Baramulla. This resulted in the Indian Army occupying Srinagar Airport. Ref Ghq official history’ Kashmir Campaign 1948. Looting by the tribals in Abbottabad has also been reported by Gen Tasadaq in his book, Brig Ingal the first Comdt also reported similar cases in his book ‘Bengal Lancers’ including the theft in the house of his then CI Gen Atiq and later a plan to attack PMA to retrieve the thief. The tribals used to come to loot shops and houses. Gen Tajamal has also mentioned many instances including one in which the tribals entered their bungalow at night and occupied it forcibly. Brig Ingal writes how he managed to stop the tribals from literally attacking PMA to apprehend a thief from the tribe who had broken into house of Col (later Gen) Atiq.
How can Kh Asif claim that the Pakistan Army had refused to fight in Kashmir? As a matter of fact Liaquat Ali Khan gave away Kashmir for Hyderabad Deccan as is reported by Sardar Shaukat Hayat in his book ‘The Nation that Lost its soul.’ There are many other books about the Kashmir campaign and its tragedy which I would advise the Honourable Defence Minister, himself a Kashmiri, to go through to know the facts.
Important Reference and Further Reading
GHQ Official History Kashmir Campaign 1947/48
Liberation of Northern Area by Col Sikander Baloch
Gilgit Rebellion by Major William Bro
Shamsher O Sana by Col Hasan Khan
1947- Before, During and After by Gen Wajahat Hussain
Story of My Struggle by Maj Gen Tajammul Hussain Malik
The Last Charge of the Bengal Lancers by Brig Ingal
Kashmiris Fight for Freedom by Yusaf Saraf
Kashmir Saga by Sarda Ibrahim Founder
President of AJK 1947, Chapter 18
Incomplete Partition-Alastair Lamb Spec-Chapter 5 and 7
Pakistan of Jinnah The Hidden Face by Ahmed Salim; Spec Chapter Kashmir
Emergence of Pakistan Ch Muhammad Ali Spec-Chapter 14
