KASHMIR-22

DEVELOPMENTS 1966-1972

 

(EXCELLENT GROUP DYNAMICS)

1.       Pakistan and China collaborated on building the strategic Karakoram highway from Hassan Abdal (West of Taxila in Pakistan) through Havelian, Abbottabad, Mansehra to Thakot, crossed the Indus twice onto Chilas onto Gilgit via Jaglot. The road was formally opened on 18 June 1978.

2.        In 1967, elections were held in the state and the Congress party won an overwhelming majority led by G.M Sadiq. In June 1967, Sheikh Abdullah was released and once again entered the political arena of the state. On 30 January 1971 a Fokker Friendship aircraft of Indian Airlines was hijacked, by members of the Kashmir National Liberation Front and later taken to Lahore where it was blown up after all passengers were released.

3.        War broke out between India and Pakistan once again on 3 December 1971 as a result of Pakistani  Air Force attacks on Indian Airfields. Meanwhile, the Indian Army crossed into erstwhile East Pakistan due to a major infiltration of refugees into India as a result of Pakistani oppression of the local populace there. 

4.        In 1971 war with Pakistan, 19 Infantry Division was responsible for the defence of areas  Bandipur, Gurais, Tangdhar, Uri and Gulmarg.

(a)        104 Infantry Brigade was tasked to capture Lipa Valley. The brigade captured it in two phases, by first capturing Kaiyan and then in the second phase Nankot on 15 December 1971. By the time of cease-fire the brigade captured whole of Lipa Valley except a small ‘pocket’.

(b)        161 Infantry Brigade was responsible for defence of Uri Sector, looking after the approaches from Muzaffarabad along the main road to Srinagar, astride Jhelum River and Hajipir pass from the south. It was also responsible for the Gulmarg area. The Brigade captured an important hill feature across the cease-fire line (CFL) by 4 December 1971. In the next fortnight it pushed the CFL further away, to Khatiana inside the enemy territory and succeeded in capturing nine villages of Pakistan and about 40 Square Kilometers of the enemy territory.

5.        The war resulted in the massive defeat of the Pakistani Army and creation of Bangladesh. The Indian forces made significant gains in Jammu and Kashmir especially in Uri, Tithwal and Poonch sectors. A cease-fire came into effect on 17 December 1971.

Shimla Agreement

6.        On 2 July 1972, Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto signed the Shimla Agreement. The main issues covered by this declaration are as follows :-

(a)        “The two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral  negotiations  or  by  other  peaceful  means  mutually  agreed upon between them. Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation and both shall prevent the organisation, assistance or encouragement of any act detrimental to the maintenance of harmonious relations”.

(b)        “The basic issues and causes of conflict which have bedeviled the relations between the two countries for the last 25 years shall be resolved by peaceful means”.

(c)        “They shall always respect each other’s national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign equality”.

(d)       “In Jammu and Kashmir the line of control resulting from the cease-fire of 17 December 1971, shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to the recognised position of either side. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations. Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or use of force in violation of this line”.