Shiban Khaibri
We are beholden to all those brave hearted patriots, in particular, to three top heroes who saved Kashmir in 1947 even by offering the supreme sacrifice and attaining immortal martyrdom. Crowley, an English poet and philosopher once said, “The people who have made history are the martyrs.” One of the top most heroes worth veneration is Brigadier Rajinder Singh, who is gratefully known as “saviour of Kashmir”. This brave son of the soil rose to the top position of the state forces as Chief of the army staff by dint of his super abilities and dedication to the cause of a soldier. On Sept25, 1947, he took the prestigious charge from the then British Major General H. L. Scott, at a time, when the state of Jammu and Kashmir was in deep turmoil because of the maneuverings of Pakistan, the new carved out state from India, then, just only a few weeks ago.
It was on Sept3, 1947, when under “operation Gulmarg”, Pakistan initiated its raids across the state borders by mixing its regular forces with the tribals known as Kabaylis, a fore runner to capture Srinagar, the capital of the state. It was a diabolical reaction to the decision of the ruler of the state, Late Maharaja Hari Singh, the people of the state and the tallest leader of the masses, Late Sheikh Abdullah, all in tandem, in not joining Pakistan. Under the Accession Bill, it was the privilege of the rulers of the princely states to decide and determine their state’s relationship with India or Pakistan. The Kabayli raid was manifestation of the employment of coercion and extreme intimidation by Pakistan in its wish to see Kashmir becoming as its part. It was a genesis of a proxy war through non state subjects, as a result of the collaboration between the Pakistan army, Pakistan Muslim League and the Muslim Conference. This tribal attack was of an entirely different nature, a first formal declaration of the stark fact that the new born Pakistan, particularly its army leadership, will accept destruction, killings, rapes and loot of the innocent human beings as collateral damage as long as its political strategies are achieved. It is a historical fact that the tribal attack was in full compliance with the wishes and instructions of the ruling elite, that of M.A. Jinnah, PM Liyakat Ali Khan and Pakistan Muslim League. The marauders, on the basis of the lies fed to the people, were made to be known as “liberators” or “freedom fighters” and that speaks of why Jinnah desperately kept on instructing a number of ministers to help such “freedom fighters”. A few of those who later wrote about the fate of the raid , however, tried to park innocence on their Qaid -e – Azam that the treacherous raid was not allowed or approved of by him but in 1997, Showkat Hayat Khan, a Minister in the Pakistani government then, confirmed that Jinnah had approved of the raid into Kashmir.
The first major attack was launched by the swarm of the heavily armed men of Afridis, Mahsuds, Wazirs and Swathis tribes along with Pakistani regulars, on Oct 22, 1947 and capturing Muzaffarabad, they burnt the town, overrunning Uri and damaged Mahura power station which plunged the whole of Srinagar city into darkness. In the highest traditions of soldiery and bravery, Brigadier Rajinder Singh, under orders of the Maharaja, marched to fight the swarming kabaylis with just 150 soldiers at his disposal. A Warrior of a class in itself, he led from the front and valiantly prevented the invaders from advancing towards the state capital for as long as five crucial days. It is this delay which enabled the Maharaja to carry out negotiations with the Union of India and the state’s accession was accordingly made on Oct 26, 1947. He fought to his last breath and the last man and on Oct 27, 1947 at Buniyar near Baramulla this brave soldier attained his martyrdom. This feat earned him the honour of being known as the “saviour of Kashmir” and was , as such, awarded the first gallantry award of the “Mahavir Chakra”, posthumously and this award was presented to his widow by General and later Field Marshall K .M. Cariappa at Srinagar on Nov 30, 1949. Napoleon Bonapart has aptly said, “It is the cause and not the death that makes a martyr.” The brave Brigadier glorified the cause worth emulating.
The second hero of the 1947 operation was Major Som Nath Sharma. The raiders were on a spree of loot, rape and mayhem on way to Srinagar till they managed to reach Badgam on Nov3, 1947. Srinagar airfield was just a few miles away and not more than less of an hour’s drive. He saved Srinagar airport and Kashmir at the supreme cost of his life fighting with a broken arm and a plastered hand due to which he was initially denied this active assignment but the brave heart managed it, as he wanted to do something special for the country. The airport was the only lifeline between the valley and rest of the India. His last wireless message stated,” The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.” He attained martyrdom and was awarded the first Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his enviable feat. While saving the airport, he exposed himself to the full fury of enemy fire and laid out cloth airstrips to guide the army aircraft onto their targets in full view of the enemy. A copy of a pocket size Holy Gita was found in his breast pocket which he was always carrying with him. His favourite pastime was listening to his grandfather reciting the Holy book and the influence of its teachings remained with the brave soul till his last breath.
The third hero who played a role of wisest combating military strategy to defend his motherland was Maqbool Sheerwani, a 19 years old gusty lad. He went around on a motor bike in the town of Baramulla where the invaders had stormed in, on Oct22, 1947; telling them not to advance towards Srinagar as “the Indian army had reached the outskirts of Baramulla.” His bluff worked and the enemy froze in its tracks for as long as four days. When the raiders came to know about the reality, they tortured him brutally and one of the raiders riding a motor bike with Sherwani slung across the petrol tank, made rounds of the town. He was put on a wooden cross, nailed alive and as many as 15 bullets pumped into his body which was kept there for three days till the Indian army brought him down. His bravado gave the army a precious, valuable time to prepare for the historic battle of Shallateng near Srinagar.
An account, just a tip of an iceberg, of the magnitude of all round destruction inflicted by the raiders, is given by a person no less than the Chief of the raiders’ operations, Pakistan’s Maj. Gen. Akbar Khan, code named Gen. Tariq. He says about Baramulla, “A town of orchards, schools, roads, river transport stations, shops and restaurants – in short, a bright and cheerful looking place. But now it looked as if an earthquake had shaken it.”
Oct 26, the day of state’s accession with India, needs to be celebrated officially, declaring it a state holiday so that the younger generations know and keep on passing to the next, about this attack, about remembering Brig. Rajinder Singh, Maj. Som nath , Maqbool Sheerwani and hundreds of our valiant patriotic soldiers who saved Kashmir and the people of this state. As they are in our hearts and psyches, we salute them respectfully and gratefully.
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