There is enough evidence to suggest that the Kashmir operation was not a spontaneous uprising by the tribesmen but a clandestine operation deliberately designed by Pakistanfor annexation of the state by force. Mr Prem Shanker Jha in his book ‘Kashmir, 1947,Rival Version of History’ states that the raiders were to be the real spearhead of thePakistan Government’s annexation plan. According to him ‘The instigation ofinsurrectionary activity and communal mayhem in Poonch and Jammu was a diversionary tactic designed to disperse and pin down the state forces and prevent themfrom regrouping at the mouth of Uri gorge which raiders had to pass before entering the Kashmir Valley.’
The uprising, according to the Pakistani conspirators, would be passed off as an actundertaken by irregulars on their own and that these lawless tribesmen could not be controlled by the newly established Pakistani state. However, there are enough pieces of evidence to prove that the irregulars were extensively supported by Pakistan’s provincialand federal governments.
Was it a Holy War?
Pakistan has spread a narrative that the tribesmen were incited to a ‘holy war’ by thestories of atrocities which fleeing Muslims brought with them to the market place ofPeshawar. But waging a ‘holy war’ was never on the agenda of these primitive tribesmen. They were lured with a promise of Zar (wealth), Sar (head) and Zan (women) of the innocent Kashmiris irrespective of his religion, gender or position, they did not differentiate between Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs. Anyone, who stopped these savages from indulging in plunder or pursuing their carnal pleasures were subjected to unseen and unheard-of violence. These tribal raids significantly altered the very fabric of the tolerant Valley.
Evidence of Pakistan’s Official Support
Not withstanding Pakistan’s continuous denial of any involvement in tribesmen’s invasion into Kashmir, there are substantial pieces of evidences to prove Pakistan’s whole hearted assistance. The details are as follows:
The leading Maliks (leaders) of the tribes who participated in the raid were secretlyinterviewed in Rawalpindi as early as 2nd October and tasked to organize Lashkars. TheseMaliks were rewarded handsomely.
There was a serious shortage of arms and ammunition as most of it still lay in India.As Director of Weapon and Equipment at GHQ, Colonel Akbar Khan knew that availableweapon meant for the Pakistan Army could not be used without the permission of theCommander-in-Chief General Messervy.Akbar Khan, however, managed to locate 4000rifles which were to be handed over to the Punjab Police. A large stock of old ammunitionwas also discovered, which was to be transported to Karachi and disposed off at sea, as ithad gone beyond its expiry date and therefore was deemed too dangerous to be used.These arms and ammunition were diverted to band of irregulars.
Petrol, (which was a scarce commodity in those days), food and camp administrativeservices were organized and provisioned by the Pak Army to the raiders.
A secret “Kashmir Fund” was set aside by Nawab of Mamdot, the Chief Minister of West Punjab. The Chief Minister of the Frontier Province, Abdul Qayyum Khan, who hailed from Poonch in Kashmir, gave his blessings and unqualified assistance including provisioning of 300-400 buses and lorries, without which the operation might not have been possible.
According to George Cunningham ‘Jinnah himself heard of it (the plan) but said ‘Don’t tell me anything of it. My conscience must remain clear’’. VP Menon, who was the right hand of Sardar Patel said in his book Integration of Indian States that ‘the raiders had free transit through Pakistan. They were in possession of modern military equipment which could only have been obtained from Pakistani Army sources; mortars, artillery, and Mark V mines are not the kind of armament which tribesmen possess.’
A large number of Army officers had joined the tribesmen and organized the attacks on the state and Indian Army. The professionalism displayed could not be expected of any untrained personnel.
If Raids had not Happened
It is worth pondering over the scenario in case the invasion by the raiders had not taken place. Possibility of Maharaja joining Pakistan existed. Indian Home Minister Sardar Patel had left the choice to the Maharaja. Lord Mountbatten too advised the Maharaja to join one of the two dominions, as two bigger nations in its neighbourhood would not let it remain independent.
Mr VP Menon states: "We had no territorial ambitions in Kashmir. If the invasion had not happened, I can say in the face of any contradiction that the Government of India would have left Kashmir alone’. Lord Mountbatten on his return to England publicly stated that he had, on the authority of the Government of India, informed the Maharaja that he was perfectly free to accede to Pakistan if he chooses to do so."
The slaughter of innocent women and children belonging to all faiths by the invaders probably lost Pakistan any faint communal co-operation they might have expected in the Valley of Kashmir.
Conclusion
Pakistan was in a hurry to grab Kashmir. Its leaders got impatient and apprehensive thatthe Maharaja may not be inclined to join them. In order to present a fait accompli to theMaharaja, Pakistan unleashed unruly and undisciplined tribesmen on innocent Kashmiris who had never heard or seen such savagery in their lives. Lord Cunningham, the Governor of NWFP noted ‘because of the excesses of the tribesmen, many Muslims of Kashmir would have adhered to India and not to Pakistan, if a plebiscite had been held.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of Indian Observer Post.)
About the Author:
Brig RK Bhatia (Rtd) has had an illustrious career in the elite Intelligence Corps of the Indian Army for over three decades. During his entire span of service, he undertook operations pertaining to intelligence acquisition and counter-Terrorism.