Dr Bharti Gupta
Partition of India must have brought pleasure to those who got positions in governance but to the people it was pain of relinquishing one’s motherland and to many it was heart wrenching, seeing and experiencing the worst form of downgraded human consciousness that bereft the commoners of joy of independence. When Mountbattern announced on 3rd June 1947, the transfer of power and partition of India into on 15th August 1947, it brought about a massive transmigration of Muslims from East Punjab to Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs from west Punjab to India; and this transmigration was set amid the atmosphere of murder, loot , rapes and communal frenzy.
None could have imagined post the unfortunate and horrific partition of India that India had to face an emergent war on it in 1947, the year of independence, that is so early. Wars on India by Pakistan had juxtaposition with J&K. Knowing about these wars is relevant as this gives learning to better understand the present geopolitical scenario and help contextualize one’s identity and fate being dweller of J&K ; as well as help appreciate the valour of our real heroes. An humble submission is- since I am not a military expert, this write up may therefore be read as an understanding developed from avid readings on the military of India.
The wars on India can be recounted as following:
1) 1947- India -Pakistan war
2) 1962, India-China war
3) 1965, India- Pakistan war
4) 1971, India-Pakistan war
5) 1987, a major confrontation at Siachen (operation Meghdhoot)
6) 1999, Kargil war
1947- India-Pakistan War
In 1947, the invasion of J&K state had been planned well months before the transfer of power. It was planned and launched by the army headquarters of Pakistan under the British General Sir Frank Messervy, who sent the operational order of “Operation Gulmarg”signed by him to attack J&K directly to his Brigade commander Brig. CP Murray. This operation was to invade Kashmir along Domel-Uri-Srinagar in October by employing tribal lashkars. The Pakistan aided lashkars invaded Kashmir on 22 October 1947.
On 12 August 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh had offered to sign a standstill agreement with both India and Pakistan. Pakistan agreed to do so while India did not on the plea of “No accession, No standstill agreement”. By early September, the Maharaja could feel the pressure from Pakistan as the supply of ration was stopped; so he was keen for accession with India. On the onslaught of this invasion Maharaja Hari Singh turned to India for help to ward off the tribal onslaught. J&K state acceded to India on October 26 1947 and the first Indian army contingent was flown to Srinagar on October 27 under “operation rescue”. The Dakota aircraft carrying contingent comprised one campany of the Ist Battalian, the Sikh regiment under Lt. Col. Dewan Ranjit Rai, the commanding officer at 0830 hours on October 27. This operation was success due to the sacrifices of Lt. Col Dewan Ranjit Rai, (MVC), Brig. Rajinder Singh (MVC) and many more during the defence of Badgam airstrip, the battle of Shalateng, Uri, Mirpur, Kotli, Jhanjar, the battle of Poonch, Naushera sector, Dras, Kargi, Gurais, etc and the conduct of the operations like Op. kipper, Op. Satyanas, Op. Birbal and op.Duck.
On the night of 1-2 January 1949, the ceasefire was announced at 2359 hours from the UN Security Council, and with that one year of bitter fighting came to an end.
1962: India China War
This was held at Rezang La of Ladakh. This was fought at an altitude of 5500 mtrs. The Chinese mounted a silent surprise attack in the morning on Nov. 18. They were spotted by Kumaonis and the attack was failed. However, later Chinese attacked the Kumaonis company at Rezang La from three sides. In this battle, the company commander, Major Shaitan Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for the supreme valour and leadership in the face of the enemy.
1965: India- Pakistan War
In 1965, Pakistan gave name “Gibralter” to the war operation. In this massive armed infiltration into the Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu was planned to overturn the state government with the help of local collaborators. In Jammu, an offensive was place to cut off the lines of communication to the valley and to seize maximum territory in the Akhnoor- Jammu region. The forces launched by Pakistan included Salahuddin Force on Srinagar, Gulmarg, Mandi (Poonch); Nusrat Force and Ghazni Force on Rajouri and Mendhar; Babar Force on Naushera and Chhamb; K Force on Uri; Khalid Force on Tithwal/ Kupwara; Tariq Force on Kargil; Qasim Force on Gurais valley. The plans of infiltration and declaration of independence at Srinagar were foiled by the people of Kashmir who instead of collaborating with the invaders reported to the army and civil authorities. Many fierce battles were fought to blunt the Pakistani offensive during the 1965 operations in Punjab, Rajasthan and J&K.
1971: India -Pakistan War
The war pertains to the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan from 3rd December 1971 to 16th Dec. 1971. This operation was called by Pakistan as operation “Chengiz Khan”. It consisted of pre-emptive aerial strikes on Indian air staions . This war popularly relates to the creation of a new nation Bangladesh and to the approx. 93,000 Pakistani service men who were taken prisoners by the Indian Army. However, no one knows much about the juxtaposition J&K had to undergo during this time. In J&k , it was 3 infantry division which dealt the aggression at Ladakh and Kargil,19 infantry dealt at Kashmir valley, 25 infantry division at battle of Poonch and Daruchina; 10 infantry division at battle of chhamb; and 26 infantry division’s capture of chicken’s neck.
1987: Confrontation at Siachen under Operation Meghdoot
After the end of the India- Pak war in 1947-48, a ceasefire line (CFL) was established from Manawar in Jammu to Khor in Ladakh, Just short of the Karakoram glaciers. No precise line was extended beyond this point and this later resulted in the Siachen glacier confrontation between India and Pakistan. In 1987, Pakistan captured a feature 6452 mts high on the Saltoro Ridge, overlooking Indian defences on the important pass of Bilafond La. The post was recaptured by the Indian troops in June 1987 by the indomitable courage of men like Sub Bana Singh (PVC) and 2nd Lt. Rajiv Pandey (Veer Chakra) of 8 J&K light infantry.
1999: Kargil War
In April 1999, Pakistan breached the provisions of the Shimla Agreement and violated the sanctity of the LoC maintained since 1972. The Northern Light Infantry (NLI) troops transgressed the line of Control in large numbers in Mushkoh valley, Dras, Kaksar and Batalik and established themselves on the top of high mountain ridgelines. The intruders were highly supported with the ammunition including Shoulder fired Stinger and Unza surface to air missile. The battles fought in the Kargil War include battle of Tololing, the battle of Tiger hill, battle in Batalik sub-secor. The victory of India in the Kargil war belonged to the indomitable courage and selfless devotion to the duty of the Indian infantrymen and the Indian Airforce upholding the tradition of the highest courage.
This brief war history should nudge us to realize the importance of the sacrifices of the soldiers who courageously protected us from the demoning acts of the enemies. And it should recall us to pay our gratitude to the valour of the Indian Armed Forces.
(The author is Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Central University of Jammu)
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