KASHMIR-18

INDIAN ARMY-THE INVINCIBLE , INDOMITABLE & INCONTESTABLE!

Events in Gilgit   

1.         On 3 June, 1947  (after the Partition plan was finalised),  the Gilgit  Agency was  reverted to the control of the Maharajah. The Gilgit Scouts, commanded by Major William Brown rebelled against Brigadier Gansara Singh who had been sent by the Maharajah as Commander of all forces in the area. Under a daring action, code-named ‘Datta Khel’, Major Brown, on the night of 31 October led a rebellion, which forced Brigadier Gansara Singh to surrender and on 2 November, the Pakistani flag was raised over the Gilgit Scouts lines. Major Brown whose act of mutiny and high treason led to the forced accession of the Gilgit agency, was only twenty four years old. Hunza and Nagar signed Instruments of accession to Pakistan on 18 November 1947. It is pertinent to note that the accession of Gilgit and rest of the Northern Territories and also Baltistan, is required to be resolved pending decision on the entire state. Incidentally, the above mentioned territories do not enjoy the same rights and privileges as other provinces under the constitution of Pakistan.    

War and UN Involvement

2.         In May 1948, the Pakistan Army took up positions along that country’s border with India. Pakistani irregulars and the Gilgit Scouts attacked and captured Baltistan, Ladakh and Skardu.  Dras and Kargil fell soon after. Indian forces were flown in to Leh and also moved up by road from Marali (in Punjab) through the Barahacha pass.

3.         Later, during the war, on 5 May 1948 the J&K forces were divided into two separate divisions. The Sri Division with 161 Infantry Brigade, 163 Infantry Brigade and 77 Para Brigade was designated as 19 Infantry Division under the command of Major General KC Thimmaya, DSO. The tasks successfully carried out were:-

(a) 77 Para Brigade  successfully captured 

Zojila, Drass, Kargil and Leh (alongwith Leh 

Brigade).

         (b)161 Infantry Brigade captured Pirkanthi, 

             Ledigali and Chhota Kazinag.

(c) 163 Infantry Brigade captured Chokibal, 

secured the Nasta-chun pass and Tithwal.

4.         In January 1948, the Kashmir issue was debated at the United Nations Council on a reference of the dispute made by India under article 35 of the UN charter. On 20 January, the UN passed a resolution, which established a Commission-United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP), to ‘investigate the facts of the dispute’ and carry out mediation to remove difficulties. On 21 April 1948, another UN resolution was passed to secure withdrawal of all Pakistanis and tribesmen from Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of India was requested to reduce its forces to the minimum strength after which circumstances for holding a plebiscite should be put into effect on the issue of accession to either India or Pakistan. On 13 August 1948 a further resolution was adopted by UNCIP along similar times.

5.         On 1 January 1949 a cease-fire came in to being, and the cease fire time was monitored by United  Nations  Military  Observer  Group  (UNMOGIP). Approximately, one third of the state ofJ&K remained with Pakistan. The Indian position on the issue remains clear – that the Instrument of Accession (On 26 October 1947), gave it the right to control the defence, communications and external affairs of the state and the Pakistani aggression violated legal norms and ground realities.