K D Maini
Poonch Linkup Day is considered a great day for the nation, pride for Indian Army and identity of Poonch garrison whose jawans had fought very tough war under the command of Brigadier Pritam Singh for about one year and defended besieged town. The story of courage bravery and determination starts with the arrival of Brigadier LP Sen of Uri Brigade and Col. Pritam Singh along with Kamoun Battalion at Poonch on 20th November 1947. Brigadier L. P Sen after assessing the grave situation around Poonch town took a bold step and appointed col Pritam Singh as commander of Poonch Garrison and kept about 2000 Jawans of state force under his command by relieving Brigadier Krishan Singh and then he left back toward Uri on the same day due to burning of bridge at Chanjal where two Battalions of Indian Army along with Arms and Vehicles were held up at Haji Pir. After that Brigadier Pritam Singh and his jawans not only defended besieged Poonch town from 20th November 1947 to 22nd November 1948 but also captured a number of heights and villages around Poonch, saved more than 40000 residents of besieged city and finally ensured Linkup of Historic Poonch city with rest of country on 22nd November 1948 when Brigadier Yadav Nath Singh of Rajouri Column had reached Poonch town, shook hands with Brigadier Pritam Singh and then both the commanders along with jawans of victorious Indian Army entered the Historic Poonch city where they were received and welcomed by the natives with the slogans of ‘Hindustan Zindabad, Hamari Fouj Zindabad’. Major General Akbar Khan of Pakistani forces who had launched ”Operation Gulmerg” during 1947-48 under the code name of ‘General Tariq’ wrote in his book ‘The Raiders in Kashmir’ that Linkup of besieged Poonch town was the biggest defeat of Pakistan sponsored forces in the south of Pir Panchal where Indian Army had captured 250 Kms long strip from Sawjian in the south of Gulmarg upto Nowshera.
No doubt, that every day in besieged town Poonch was horrible due to shelling and firing on the city but 17th and 18th March 1948 are considered the fateful days for the residents of Poonch town when Pakistan started 3 brigade attack under the command of Brigadier Hayat ud Din from Khauta, Chiri kote and Tetrinote side, 3 Battalions of Azad force under the command of Col. Hussain Khan moved from Jhulass and Kunyian towards Poonch Town from the southern side while 3000 tribal Lashkar under the supervision of Asghar Ali Shah marched from Khaneter towards Poonch from Northern side. This was well conceived move of Pakistan to capture Poonch city. Attack was started on 17th March which continued during 18th March. However Brigadier Pritam Singh had made so impregnable defense around Poonch town that after hand to hand battle of two days Pakistani forces could not capture even a single post. During this operation Pritam Singh remained moving from one picquet to another to encourage jawans. During shelling and firing he was requested by the jawans not to move but Pritam Singh had replied that no bullet has been made to kill him. Ultimately on 18th March after getting heavy losses Pakistan sponsored forces withdrew back without capturing any area around Poonch city. Next day 300 dead bodies of Pakistani forces were counted around Poonch town along with the body of Col. Hussain Khan. After that Pakistan did not dare to attack Poonch city. Then Brigadier Pritam Singh started offensive moves and snatched all heights and villages around the town. This was the reason that Brigadier Pritam Singh was popularly known among the residents as ‘Share Bachha’ the ‘savior of Poonch’ and ‘General of Awamd.
Once General K.S Thimiya had said ‘No Army is expected to fight well against his enemy if own people are not cooperating them’. The reason behind the success of Poonch Brigade against enemy is good relation of Army officers and Jawans with the natives of the sector. Present Commander of 93 Inf. Brigade Poonch is also very social, cooperative and people friendly. His regular visits of forward areas, meeting with the public and gets information of their urgent needs. Accordingly Sadbahvana Schemes are framed. The meetings of commander with natives are beneficial for the villagers and also give moral supports to jawans. He is also having full liaison with the local administration and prominent persons of Poonch. Therefore very amicable relations between Army and Awam are established in this sector.
This year 7 medical cum veterinary camps at Kals, Bandi Chechian, Galipindi, Nangali Saab, Noor Kote, Sawjian and Degwar Terwan were organized by the local commanders of 93 Inf. Brigade to treat ailing persons and animals. In these camps 1707 Patients were checked up, properly diagnosed and provided medicines free of costs. Smt Khatoon Akhter Sarpanch Bandi Chechain told that in their locality a big medical camp was organized in which free medicines were provided to ailing persons and 270 animals were also checked up and required medicines provided. In these remote areas such camps leaves good impact on the public of forward areas where such facilities are rarely available.
This year for the first time journalists from Poonch and abroad were invited by 93 Inf. Brigade and sent to border posts on the LOC to know the ground situation in which the Indian Jawans and officers are defending the LOC and also to interact with the residents of such areas and to know about army and public relation. A team of 20 media persons of 12 media houses had taken part in these visits. The team visited Doda Post, Rakhanwali Post and Degwar Tehrawan. S. Narinder Singh Talwar of ANI told that it was a unique experience for him and other members to see life of soldiers in tranches and bunkers where they are facing enemy located on the opposite side. Our brave jawans and officers are always active and ready for any eventuality. During their day and night duty, their only aim is to ensure the proper defense of the border. The relations between the Army and Awam near the last post are very cordial and friendly. Both Jawans and Awams are helping each other at the time of necessity.
During this year 93 Inf. Brigade also organized artificial fitment camp at Noto Stadium in collaboration with Kiwanis club Delhi in which 52 disabled persons were provided limbs to live normal lives. 13 students have been sent to Mawari University for diploma courses. This year a big consignment of Narcotics was captured near the LOC in Ghari area under the closed monitoring of Local commander.
This year Linkup day is being celebrated by Army in collaboration with the public of Poonch as ‘Poonch Ustav’. The Commander of Poonch Brigade have made a week long programme with the active participation of the people which includes Poonch Mela on 20th November which comprises of cultural programme, horse show, dog show, rural games, musical concert and band show. on 22nd November, programme shall start with wreath laying ceremony, documentary on Poonch war and interaction of VIPs with Public, Ex-service men and Jawans.
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