KASHMIR -17

Invasion of Kashmir by Pakistan

INDIAN ARMY RISES TO SUPERHUMAN HEIGHTS BY MOBILISING TROOPS & LANDING IN THE DUSTY AIRSTRIP OF SRINAGAR WITHIN HOURS OF SIGNING OF INSTRUMENT OF ACCESSION BY MAHARAJAH HARI SINGH - A FEAT SIMPLY UNPARALLELED IN MILITARY HISTORY

1.         On 22 October 1947, armed tribal raiders from the North-West Frontier, crossed the Jhelum river into Kashmir. The operation fully supported by Pakistan was code named ‘Gulmarg’ and led by Akbar Khan (pseudonym General Tariq). The raiders were well equipped with mortars, artillery and mines  numbered about 5000. By 23 October, the tribesmen had captured Domel and subsequently Garhi and Chinari also fell. The main column headed towards Uri where the defences were held by first Sikh Regiment of Patiala State forces.   

2.         On 24 October, Maharajah Hari Singh, alarmed at the invasion by the Pakistan supported tribesmen, made an urgent appeal for help to the Government of India. On 26 October 1946, the Maharajah acceded to India and the formal Instrument of Accession was signed between the Maharajah and the Lord Mountbatten, the Governor General.

3.        The invasion by the tribesmen continued and on 27 October they reached Baramulla and embarked upon an orgy of destruction, killing, raping and looting. Even the St Joseph’s Franciscan Convent was not spared. The invasion force then reached Pattan where they were strafed and bombed by Indian Air Force aircraft and suffered heavy casualties. The Indian Army, by this time, had been airlifted into Srinagar.Lt Col Diwan Ranjit Rai, MVC the Commanding Officer along with his Battalion-the mighty & illustrious 1 SIKH took off in the early morning hours of 27 Oct 1947 to throw out the invaders from Kashmir.

4.       161 Infantry Brigade group was formed on 01 Nov 1947 (now under 19 Infantry Division). This Brigade group consisted of three Infantry Battalions, one Infantry Company and some administrative units. It successfully under took the following tasks during the operations:

(a)        Secured Srinagar airfield against the invading Pakistani raiders and Srinagar against any possible attack or infiltration. For this the Brigade Commander, Brigadier (Later Lt Gen)LP Sen deployed two additional companies in addition to a Battalion at Pattan. At Magam and Badgam a Battalion each was deployed.

(b)        The brigade at a later stage successfully captured Uri and pushed the raiders beyond the town.