On 15th August, when the country was celebrating Independence on one side after 200 years yoke of British Rule, the country was burning with turmoil of Partition on the other side, state of Jammu & Kashmir was a beacon of peace and tranquility. The Evil eyes of Pakistan were set on Kashmir, the Heaven on earth.
Pakistan tribals aided and abetted by Pak Army attacked the valley of dreams, peace and tranquility in guise of Tribals on 22nd Oct. 1947 at Muzaffrabad. As a first natural reaction to this attack all the saner sections of the local populace, resisted the Tribal Raiders to save their state and honour and lives of their women and children, aborting thereby their plan to capture Srinagar Airport. As Srinagar city was about 6 to 8 hours run from Muzafrabad, the raiders had plans to reach Srinagar same day. The only air connection with India through which Kashmir could expect reinforcement of forces and arms supple to fight the raiders to save the valley.
Col. Narian Singh who was commanding the Maharaja's Army battalion in Muzzafrabad then was overconfident of his forces majority of which betrayed him on the day of attack and even started not only curtailing he supply to jawans but started killing their own men in uniform. Reports regarding plan of Pakistan hatching the conspiracy to attack Kashmir had started pouring in from locals and those who were serving in western Pakistan before partition and had connection there.
Even reports of gathering of forces and tribal's were given much in advance to Col. Narain Singh and even to Maharajas Hari Singh which they ignored as rumors. Border villages like Katthi Serri, Naloochi and Patteka in Muzzafrabad and in areas adjoining Mirpur town had reports of nefarious activities in Abtabad. Shankiri and Mansera of hatching of plans to attack J&K state. Even many people from isolated villages has started migration before this doom day. But it was neither wholesome rather insignificant numbers. Many people gathered at Gurudwara Guffa Sahib in Mazafrabad others stayed with their relatives in villages Rarah, Rarooh, Basanara, etc. some of the families who could get facility of transport through vehicular traffic, tangas and other means started running towards Srinagar of the day of the attack in Muzafrabad on way informing all roadside residents of the raid and advised them to flee for safety from Chhatter, Ambore, part of Naloochi, Domel Garhi, Chakoti etc. Even some people rush to villages on higher reaches to give messages of the attack. Killing and loot in Muzzafrabad to their relatives.
Leaving homes immediately was a hard decision to be taken, those who dare to do so could save their lives if not the property and other belongings, while other died while resisting the raiders with all little means they had at the disposal like cutting lines of communication, blasting some culverts and bridges making it difficult for the raiders to immediately rush to Kashmir on the same day. As per history even Commanders of Maharajas Army could reach upto Chakothi only but having faced massive attack advised locals to leave their home for safety and retreated for stronger defence. Ultimately he and his brave soldiers attained martyrdom near Uri, the tribals moved on and blasted the only Power house at Mohra plunging entire valley to darkness. These were ample signals for Maharajas to take firm and quick decision. Negotiation were earlier going with newly formed Government in Delhi and the then Maharajas and ultimately the Instrument of Accession was signed by Maharajas HGari Singh merging the State of J&K with Union of India on 26-10-1947.
Indian forces landed in valley in next day morning of October 27 1947, just in time as the raiders had reached quite near Srinagar airport due to delay by the local rsistance and massive loot and killing in Muzafrabad and Baramullah and surrounding villages. Most fo the Sikhs and hindu population had moved from rural areas of valley particularly from Budgam and it's villages. Thye had reached Srinagar and camps were established at many places in the city. Similarly population from villages in hills e.g. Danna, Danna Kuchilli, Chakar, Phagri, Battlian, Mehra, Mehra Mandirain and Sayan, Darna, Badali, Nagari, etc. so on had moved to valley in Srinagar and partially may families taking other routes and long journey also reached Poonch town. Enroute they were followed by tribals and in many places there were exchange of fire between them resulting in killing of civilians.
Though Indian Army has landed in Srinagar and fought back the tribal, no aid was sent to Mirpur district and thus small contingent of Maharajas stationed there retreated before fighting leaving the local populace at the mercy of raiders. Thousand were killed and large numbers were kept in captivity. Finally Mirpur fell in the hands of tribals on 24th Nov. 1947, almost a month after accession.
As a first natural reaction to this attack all the saner section of the local populace had resisted the tribal raider to honour of the lives of the children. The tribals raiders fully aided and abetted by Pakistan army who had massacred more than 45, 000 men, women and children in their barbarian attack, while men attained martyrdom to save their families from raiders. Raiders massacred and even thousands of women and children were burnt alive and many young women and children were taken into captivity. It is irony of fate a chapter in the history in the blood of innocent who were matyred even after Govt. of India announced ceasefire.
We the 12.5 lacs successors of the families of those martyrs of 1947 from POK, salute all our elders who fought so bravely like true patriots and preferred to die rather than surrender. We bow our heads with deep humility and sorrow for those who were killed in the genocide of 1947.
"We pray for the eternal peace for their departed souls". On this day, 22nd Oct, we, MJR-47, Movement for Justice for Refugees of 1947 from POK, vow to fight till our last breath to bring justice to our DP/Refugee brethren who have been made to suffer deprivation of basic human rights of home and hearth and on all social, educational, political, financial fields without any aid, relief & rehabilitation either from the state or GOI for the last 72 years". |
