It was in March 1947 when Lord Louis Mountbatten was made the last viceroy of British India and assigned the tough task to give power back into the hands of a country which they had colonised for more than three hundred years. Mountbatten, who was still learning and understanding the sub-continent, had spoken against the division of the country and emphasised the need for a unified India.

In a radio broadcast on 4 June 1947, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten announced, "A statement will be read to you tonight giving the final decision of his Majesty’s Government as to the method by which power will be transferred from British to Indian hands. Nothing I have seen or heard in the past few weeks has shaken my firm opinion that with a reasonable measure of goodwill between the communities a unified India would be far the best solution of the problem."

However, the negotiations&nbsp;with Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was once considered “the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity" and shared differences with Gandhi over 'mixing religion with politics', ended in a disaster and it was soon made clear Partition was the only way out.

Pushing independence ten months earlier than expected, Mountbatten in early June announced 15 August 1947, as the date for the transfer of power.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-asi-shares-images-of-prominent-heritage-monuments-of-india-awash-in-tricolour-625246">ASI shares images of prominent heritage monuments of India awash in tricolour</a>

<h2>40 days and hanging fate of 390 million people</h2>

The man chosen for the momentous task of striking a line between the country and defining the borders of India and Pakistan was a British judge, Cyril Radcliffe, who clearly had no understanding of the country's sociopolitical culture and had never visited India before.

After getting appointed as the chairman of the Border Commission, Radcliffe was granted merely 40 days to decide the fate of approximately 390 million people, who were about to lose their loved ones, houses, and wealth and endure&nbsp;horrifying&nbsp;scars of rape, brutalisation, killing and unnamed atrocities.

In the later years, while speaking to journalist Kuldip Nayar, Radcliffe said, “I had no alternative; the time at my disposal was so short that I could not do a better job. Given the same period, I would do the same thing. However, if I had two to three years, I might have improved on what I did."

“If aspirations of some people had not been fulfilled, the fault must be found in political arrangements with which I am not concerned," he had said.

WATCH |&nbsp;India to celebrate its 77th Independence day

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-to-celebrate-its-77th-independence-day-625101/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Two days of eerie silence over new borders</h2>

Amid the riots, brutal killings, rape, looting and the greatest displacement of all time, historic speeches by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Pt Jawaharlal Nehru declared Pakistan and India as independent nation-states on August 14 and 15. While independence was granted to people, their future remained blurred and locked inside the files where the actual border lines were drawn and the country was partitioned.

The confusion and mayhem in such circumstances are difficult to explain when people, especially those living in states like Punjab, which were divided, fail to understand if they are in India or Pakistan and whether they should run towards overwhelming refugee camps or wait for clarity from the authorities.

"While people knew that Punjab would be partitioned, it wasn’t until two days after independence that the fate of Lahore was announced. Until then, most people were unsure where Lahore would go. It was a strategic city because apart from being the capital of Punjab, it was divided between Hindu/Sikhs and Muslims almost equally," said Harleen Singh, founder of The Lost Heer Project while speaking to WION.

"I definitely think that keeping the exact borders secret until the last minute really added to the confusion and mayhem. In 2021, I was interviewing the refugee families in Gurdaspur which was briefly part of Pakistan for a few days before being allotted to India. This really caused a lot of violence in the region and a lot of Muslim women were kidnapped in the area and birthed many generations in Gurdaspur. Had people given a fair idea of what to expect with the new borders, there would have been much less violence," he added.&nbsp;

However, Radcliffe was intertwined in his own debate while giving Lahore to India. In the famous interview, he said, "I nearly gave you (India) Lahore. But then I realised that Pakistan would not have any large cities. I had already earmarked Calcutta for India.” The man, who had demarcated India from Pakistan, had also accepted that Lahore had Hindus and Sikhs.

But Jinnah was not happy with the "truncated" state that was given to him, which he had described as “a maimed, mutilated and moth-eaten” Pakistan. The question that lies deeply buried is why the map, which was apparently finalised on August 12, was not made public. Some argue that the step was restricted to ensure that riots and killings do not affect the Independence Day celebrations in India and Pakistan. However, unlike any other country, did India get a fair chance to celebrate the independence it had waited for for hundreds of years?

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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It was in March 1947 when Lord Louis Mountbatten was made the last viceroy of British India and assigned the tough task to give power back into the hands of a country which they had colonised for more than three hundred years.

It was in March 1947 when Lord Louis Mountbatten was made the last viceroy of British India and assigned the tough task to give power back into the hands of a country which they had colonised for more than three hundred years. Mountbatten, who was still learning and understanding the sub-continent, had spoken against the division of the country and emphasised the need for a unified India. In a radio broadcast on 4 June 1947, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten announced, "A statement will be read to you tonight giving the final decision of his Majesty’s Government as to the method by which power will be transferred from British to Indian hands. Nothing I have seen or heard in the past few weeks has shaken my firm opinion that with a reasonable measure of goodwill between the communities a unified India would be far the best solution of the problem." However, the negotiations with Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was once considered “the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity" and shared differences with Gandhi over 'mixing religion with politics', ended in a disaster and it was soon made clear Partition was the only way out. Pushing independence ten months earlier than expected, Mountbatten in early June announced 15 August 1947, as the date for the transfer of power. ALSO READ | ASI shares images of prominent heritage monuments of India awash in tricolour 40 days and hanging fate of 390 million people The man chosen for the momentous task of striking a line between the country and defining the borders of India and Pakistan was a British judge, Cyril Radcliffe, who clearly had no understanding of the country's sociopolitical culture and had never visited India before. After getting appointed as the chairman of the Border Commission, Radcliffe was granted merely 40 days to decide the fate of approximately 390 million people, who were about to lose their loved ones, houses, and wealth and endure horrifying scars of rape, brutalisation, killing and unnamed atrocities. In the later years, while speaking to journalist Kuldip Nayar, Radcliffe said, “I had no alternative; the time at my disposal was so short that I could not do a better job. Given the same period, I would do the same thing. However, if I had two to three years, I might have improved on what I did." “If aspirations of some people had not been fulfilled, the fault must be found in political arrangements with which I am not concerned," he had said. WATCH | India to celebrate its 77th Independence day Two days of eerie silence over new borders Amid the riots, brutal killings, rape, looting and the greatest displacement of all time, historic speeches by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Pt Jawaharlal Nehru declared Pakistan and India as independent nation-states on August 14 and 15. While independence was granted to people, their future remained blurred and locked inside the files where the actual border lines were drawn and the country was partitioned. The confusion and mayhem in such circumstances are difficult to explain when people, especially those living in states like Punjab, which were divided, fail to understand if they are in India or Pakistan and whether they should run towards overwhelming refugee camps or wait for clarity from the authorities. "While people knew that Punjab would be partitioned, it wasn’t until two days after independence that the fate of Lahore was announced. Until then, most people were unsure where Lahore would go. It was a strategic city because apart from being the capital of Punjab, it was divided between Hindu/Sikhs and Muslims almost equally," said Harleen Singh, founder of The Lost Heer Project while speaking to WION. "I definitely think that keeping the exact borders secret until the last minute really added to the confusion and mayhem. In 2021, I was interviewing the refugee families in Gurdaspur which was briefly part of Pakistan for a few days before being allotted to India. This really caused a lot of violence in the region and a lot of Muslim women were kidnapped in the area and birthed many generations in Gurdaspur. Had people given a fair idea of what to expect with the new borders, there would have been much less violence," he added. However, Radcliffe was intertwined in his own debate while giving Lahore to India. In the famous interview, he said, "I nearly gave you (India) Lahore. But then I realised that Pakistan would not have any large cities. I had already earmarked Calcutta for India.” The man, who had demarcated India from Pakistan, had also accepted that Lahore had Hindus and Sikhs. But Jinnah was not happy with the "truncated" state that was given to him, which he had described as “a maimed, mutilated and moth-eaten” Pakistan. The question that lies deeply buried is why the map, which was apparently finalised on August 12, was not made public. Some argue that the step was restricted to ensure that riots and killings do not affect the Independence Day celebrations in India and Pakistan. However, unlike any other country, did India get a fair chance to celebrate the independence it had waited for for hundreds of years? You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Cast From The Past: Radcliffe and his blood-smeared line continue to haunt India since 1947

Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, exiled Chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) on Saturday (local time) said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan were a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir but have been illegally held by Pakistan since 1947.&nbsp;

Speaking at a press conference at Geneva on human rights violations in Pakistan and the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, he said UKPNP is opposed to the use of religion as a weapon and terrorism as a foreign policy tool. &nbsp;

He said the Article 257 constitution of Pakistan is a provision related to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, "when the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir decide to accede to Pakistan, the relationship between Pakistan and that State shall be determined in accordance with the wishes of the people of that State." &nbsp;

According to a UN resolution, Pakistan is obligated to ensure life, liberty, the dignity of the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, he said. &nbsp;

The people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan do not enjoy any basic political rights. The government represses political freedom, and controls the freedom of expression, Kashmiri said. &nbsp;

He further said that anyone, who wants to take part in public life in the country, has to sign a pledge of loyalty to Pakistan while anyone, who publicly supports or worries about Kashmir, faces persecution. &nbsp;

Those, who favour independence, risk being beaten and jailed. Numerous political leaders of Kashmir have been forced to live in exile and face the threat of being eliminated or languish in jail. &nbsp;

Talking about a prominent political leader from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Sardar Arif Shahid, who was brutally killed in Rawalpindi seven years ago, Kashmiri said that the issue was raised several times at different forums including United Nations to put pressure on Pakistan for a judicial inquiry but no action has been taken yet.&nbsp;

In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, nationalist leaders and political workers and human rights activists are being booked for sedition, he added.&nbsp;

Speaking about the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC), he said, the project runs through disputed territories of Gilgit Baltistan and is a cause of environmental damage - air quality, water resources, and soil erosion.&nbsp;

Kashmiri also said that UKPNP demands that the Pakistan government must take immediate actions against security forces and agencies, who kidnap citizens of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir and make arrangement for the immediate release of all those, who have disappeared.&nbsp;

UKPNP recommends that the Jammu and Kashmir issue must be resolved through a process of dialogue and peaceful means, he further said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, exiled Chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) on Saturday (local time) said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan were a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir but have been illegally held by Pakistan since 1947.

Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, exiled Chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) on Saturday (local time) said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan were a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir but have been illegally held by Pakistan since 1947. Speaking at a press conference at Geneva on human rights violations in Pakistan and the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, he said UKPNP is opposed to the use of religion as a weapon and terrorism as a foreign policy tool. He said the Article 257 constitution of Pakistan is a provision related to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, "when the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir decide to accede to Pakistan, the relationship between Pakistan and that State shall be determined in accordance with the wishes of the people of that State." According to a UN resolution, Pakistan is obligated to ensure life, liberty, the dignity of the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, he said. The people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan do not enjoy any basic political rights. The government represses political freedom, and controls the freedom of expression, Kashmiri said. He further said that anyone, who wants to take part in public life in the country, has to sign a pledge of loyalty to Pakistan while anyone, who publicly supports or worries about Kashmir, faces persecution. Those, who favour independence, risk being beaten and jailed. Numerous political leaders of Kashmir have been forced to live in exile and face the threat of being eliminated or languish in jail. Talking about a prominent political leader from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Sardar Arif Shahid, who was brutally killed in Rawalpindi seven years ago, Kashmiri said that the issue was raised several times at different forums including United Nations to put pressure on Pakistan for a judicial inquiry but no action has been taken yet. In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, nationalist leaders and political workers and human rights activists are being booked for sedition, he added. Speaking about the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC), he said, the project runs through disputed territories of Gilgit Baltistan and is a cause of environmental damage - air quality, water resources, and soil erosion. Kashmiri also said that UKPNP demands that the Pakistan government must take immediate actions against security forces and agencies, who kidnap citizens of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir and make arrangement for the immediate release of all those, who have disappeared. UKPNP recommends that the Jammu and Kashmir issue must be resolved through a process of dialogue and peaceful means, he further said. (With inputs from agencies)

UKPNP chairman: Parts of Jammu & Kashmir illegally held by Pakistan since 1947 

It is a misnomer to call Pakistan’s naked aggression on Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 as ‘tribal raid.’ Pakistan organised the invasion and directly supervised operations.

‘Operation Gulmarg’

There is some evidence that even by last week of May 1947 Pakistan gave&nbsp;shape to plans to forcibly annex Jammu and Kashmir. Major Onkar Singh Kalkat, who had opted for India and was awaiting repatriation, was posted at Bannu, North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

On 20 August 1947 he stumbled upon a letter marked&nbsp;‘Personal/Top Secret.’ It was addressed to his Brigade Commander CP Murray, a British army officer, and signed by Gen.Frank Messervey, Chief of Staff of Pakistan army.

Attached to the letter was an appendix that detailed the plan of ‘Operation Gulmarg’ for invasion of J&amp;K. The plan envisaged key role for Pashtun tribesmen. The Pathan officers from the Frontier Force Regiment were to function as commanders of the lashkars.

In August 1947 itself, Gen.Thimayya had gone to Lahore to attend a meeting of the Boundary Force. He overheard Pakistani officers talking about stationing their respective regiments at Gulmarg and Pahalgam. About the same time, two senior commanders of 11 Cavalry (Frontier Force) were asked to participate in the task of Jehad-e-Fisabilillah (‘Freedom for Kashmir’).

Two Plans

 
1. Peshwar Plan

This Plan, conceived by NWFP Chief Minister Khan Abdul Qayoom Khan, involved use of tribal lashkars for invasion of Kashmir. Senior Britishers serving in Pakistan army and NWFP Governor Sir George Cunnigham were kept in&nbsp;loop about this plan.

 
2. Lahore Plan &nbsp;

This plan had been prepared under the directions of Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan, a minister in West Punjab government.&nbsp;In this plan Colonel Mohammad Kiani talked about pincer attack from Kashmir and Jammu.

His plan had three main features:

1. Organising armed groups in Poonch which would then march to Srinagar.

2. Organising underground subversive network in Kashmir valley which would stage revolt when needed.

3. Disruption of line of communication on Kathua-Jammu road to prevent Indian reinforcements to Kashmir. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
In the first week of September 1947, Pakistan Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan directed Col.Akbar Khan to make another plan.

Col.Akbar Khan’s plan ‘Armed Revolt inside Kashmir’ was not much different from Kiani's plan but stressed that Poonchis and Mirpuris be given the main role in the invasion. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Chief Ministers of NWFP and Punjab were directed to sort out the logistics for the invasion. They were given specific instructions to enroll ex-servicemen from Poonch and Punjab to provoke large-scale violence in Poonch and organize border raids from Kathua to Mirpur. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Recruitment of Pashtun Tribesmen

By the end of second week of September 1947 Major Khurshid Anwar and Pir Manki Sharif toured NWFP extensively to recruit tribesmen for ‘Jihad.’ The entire operation of arming and recruitment of tribesmen for Kashmir campaign was directly under supervisory control of NWFP govt. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Raw religious emotions were worked up to recruit tribal lashkars and a force comprising tribal lashkars and Pakistani soldiers in civvies was mobilised to launch an invasion.

All criminals in the tribal belt of NWFP were given general amnesty for joining ‘jihad’ for Kashmir. The Chief Minister of NWFP also arranged joining of thousands of Afghan Parwindas in Kashmir campaign. The tribesmen were also tempted that war booty in Kashmir captured&nbsp;by the invading force would be theirs. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Besides Pathan lashkars other elements that were involved&nbsp;in the invasion force were workers of Muslim League and Communists led by Latif Afghani.

In June 1948 at the instance of Pakistan government, Ahmedi leadership helped raise Furqan battalion from young volunteers of Ahmedi community. Some retired officers belonging to Ahmedi community too were recalled and attached to Furqan battalion.

Key Elements

The main role in the invasion was given to the Pakistan Army, the Frontier Constabulary, the Kassadars and Tribal Levies. Khwaja Abdur Rahim, a communal maniac and a known scamster, was posted as Commissioner of Rawalpindi. &nbsp;

He was directly involved in handling logistics. Jamaat Islami ideologue Maulana Abul-Ala Maudoodi and Ahmedi leaders Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmed were approached to render help. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Pakistan deputed &nbsp;Nasira Siddiqui, a top Muslim League worker, to Srinagar in early August 1947 to subvert the loyalty of Muslim officers in the state bureaucracy and army to support its game-plan. She received a bullet injury at Pattan on 27 October 1947. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Mahmud Ahmad, an Ahmedi leader, allegedly sent 700 rifles and a huge cache of ammunition to Hameedullah Khan, President of Muslim Conference. &nbsp;

Many Muslim Conference workers from Srinagar were taken to Abbottabad and trained in the use of firearms. At the end of August 1947 senior bureaucrats of provincial administration of NWFP smuggled arms and ammunition to Srinagar and distributed this to different Pakistan cells.

Ex-servicemen, belonging to West Punjab and NWFP, were sent to Kashmir and stationed at strategic points. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Border raids were organised to disperse the state forces and target Hindus and Sikhs. Loot, arson, killings and abduction of women continued unabated. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Jinnah’s Role &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

NWFP Governor Sir George Cunnigham admits that Jinnah knew everything about the Kashmir invasion. Shaukat Hayat Khan corroborates that Jinnah okayed the plan. In fact, Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan fully endorsed Khan Abdul Qayoom Khan’s plan to recruit Pashtun tribesmen. It was Jinnah who arranged condemned ammunition for two fronts at the instance of Shaukat Hayat Khan. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Khan Abdul Qayoom Khan had his own force, comprising the members of the Frontier Police, separate from that of Major Khurshid Anwar’s tribesmen. When the two forces converged near Srinagar a dispute arose about who would make a triumphant entry into Srinagar for plunder. There were armed clashes among the warring factions leading to many casualties. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Second Invasion &nbsp;

Pakistan made another attempt to annex Kashmir valley through Tithwal in February 1948. The last remnants of the raiders were flushed out from Kashmir valley by early June 1948. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

It is a misnomer to call Pakistan’s naked aggression on Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 as ‘tribal raid.’ Pakistan organised the invasion and directly supervised operations.

It is a misnomer to call Pakistan’s naked aggression on Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 as ‘tribal raid.’ Pakistan organised the invasion and directly supervised operations. ‘Operation Gulmarg’ There is some evidence that even by last week of May 1947 Pakistan gave shape to plans to forcibly annex Jammu and Kashmir. Major Onkar Singh Kalkat, who had opted for India and was awaiting repatriation, was posted at Bannu, North West Frontier Province (NWFP). On 20 August 1947 he stumbled upon a letter marked ‘Personal/Top Secret.’ It was addressed to his Brigade Commander CP Murray, a British army officer, and signed by Gen.Frank Messervey, Chief of Staff of Pakistan army. Attached to the letter was an appendix that detailed the plan of ‘Operation Gulmarg’ for invasion of J&K. The plan envisaged key role for Pashtun tribesmen. The Pathan officers from the Frontier Force Regiment were to function as commanders of the lashkars. In August 1947 itself, Gen.Thimayya had gone to Lahore to attend a meeting of the Boundary Force. He overheard Pakistani officers talking about stationing their respective regiments at Gulmarg and Pahalgam. About the same time, two senior commanders of 11 Cavalry (Frontier Force) were asked to participate in the task of Jehad-e-Fisabilillah (‘Freedom for Kashmir’). Two Plans 1. Peshwar Plan This Plan, conceived by NWFP Chief Minister Khan Abdul Qayoom Khan, involved use of tribal lashkars for invasion of Kashmir. Senior Britishers serving in Pakistan army and NWFP Governor Sir George Cunnigham were kept in loop about this plan. 2. Lahore Plan This plan had been prepared under the directions of Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan, a minister in West Punjab government. In this plan Colonel Mohammad Kiani talked about pincer attack from Kashmir and Jammu. His plan had three main features: 1. Organising armed groups in Poonch which would then march to Srinagar. 2. Organising underground subversive network in Kashmir valley which would stage revolt when needed. 3. Disruption of line of communication on Kathua-Jammu road to prevent Indian reinforcements to Kashmir. In the first week of September 1947, Pakistan Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan directed Col.Akbar Khan to make another plan. Col.Akbar Khan’s plan ‘Armed Revolt inside Kashmir’ was not much different from Kiani's plan but stressed that Poonchis and Mirpuris be given the main role in the invasion. Chief Ministers of NWFP and Punjab were directed to sort out the logistics for the invasion. They were given specific instructions to enroll ex-servicemen from Poonch and Punjab to provoke large-scale violence in Poonch and organize border raids from Kathua to Mirpur. Recruitment of Pashtun Tribesmen By the end of second week of September 1947 Major Khurshid Anwar and Pir Manki Sharif toured NWFP extensively to recruit tribesmen for ‘Jihad.’ The entire operation of arming and recruitment of tribesmen for Kashmir campaign was directly under supervisory control of NWFP govt. Raw religious emotions were worked up to recruit tribal lashkars and a force comprising tribal lashkars and Pakistani soldiers in civvies was mobilised to launch an invasion. All criminals in the tribal belt of NWFP were given general amnesty for joining ‘jihad’ for Kashmir. The Chief Minister of NWFP also arranged joining of thousands of Afghan Parwindas in Kashmir campaign. The tribesmen were also tempted that war booty in Kashmir captured by the invading force would be theirs. Besides Pathan lashkars other elements that were involved in the invasion force were workers of Muslim League and Communists led by Latif Afghani. In June 1948 at the instance of Pakistan government, Ahmedi leadership helped raise Furqan battalion from young volunteers of Ahmedi community. Some retired officers belonging to Ahmedi community too were recalled and attached to Furqan battalion. Key Elements The main role in the invasion was given to the Pakistan Army, the Frontier Constabulary, the Kassadars and Tribal Levies. Khwaja Abdur Rahim, a communal maniac and a known scamster, was posted as Commissioner of Rawalpindi. He was directly involved in handling logistics. Jamaat Islami ideologue Maulana Abul-Ala Maudoodi and Ahmedi leaders Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmed were approached to render help. Pakistan deputed Nasira Siddiqui, a top Muslim League worker, to Srinagar in early August 1947 to subvert the loyalty of Muslim officers in the state bureaucracy and army to support its game-plan. She received a bullet injury at Pattan on 27 October 1947. Mahmud Ahmad, an Ahmedi leader, allegedly sent 700 rifles and a huge cache of ammunition to Hameedullah Khan, President of Muslim Conference. Many Muslim Conference workers from Srinagar were taken to Abbottabad and trained in the use of firearms. At the end of August 1947 senior bureaucrats of provincial administration of NWFP smuggled arms and ammunition to Srinagar and distributed this to different Pakistan cells. Ex-servicemen, belonging to West Punjab and NWFP, were sent to Kashmir and stationed at strategic points. Border raids were organised to disperse the state forces and target Hindus and Sikhs. Loot, arson, killings and abduction of women continued unabated. Jinnah’s Role NWFP Governor Sir George Cunnigham admits that Jinnah knew everything about the Kashmir invasion. Shaukat Hayat Khan corroborates that Jinnah okayed the plan. In fact, Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan fully endorsed Khan Abdul Qayoom Khan’s plan to recruit Pashtun tribesmen. It was Jinnah who arranged condemned ammunition for two fronts at the instance of Shaukat Hayat Khan. Khan Abdul Qayoom Khan had his own force, comprising the members of the Frontier Police, separate from that of Major Khurshid Anwar’s tribesmen. When the two forces converged near Srinagar a dispute arose about who would make a triumphant entry into Srinagar for plunder. There were armed clashes among the warring factions leading to many casualties. Second Invasion Pakistan made another attempt to annex Kashmir valley through Tithwal in February 1948. The last remnants of the raiders were flushed out from Kashmir valley by early June 1948. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

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