K.D Maini
Since 1948, when besieged Poonch town was linked with rest of the country by the armed forces, every year Poonch Brigade with the active participation of people of Poonch town and border villages celebrates Poonch Link Up Day as ‘Poonch Utsav’ on November 22. The Link Up Day is celebrated to pay homage to martyrs who laid their lives and defended Poonch in very odd circumstances under the leadership of Sardar Pritam Singh, the commander of Poonch Garrison.
Poonch Brigade, popularly known as the Saviour of Poonch defended the besieged Poonch town for about 12 months in 1947 under the command of Brigadier Pritam Singh. The Brigade not only made the Jammu-Poonch link possible but also defeated the enemy in successive battles. In 1965, when Pakistan launched the operation Gibraltor on 5th August 1965, Poonch Brigade showed extra-ordinary courage under the command of Brigadier Zora Singh and captured important ridges like Raja, Rani and Neza Peer Heights. In this manner 49 miles long historic Haji Pir Uri-Poonch road was opened and 558 Sq. Km. area was captured including Chanjal, Kahuta, Rankri, Zairat, Aliabad, & Haji Peer. However, this area was returned to Pakistan after Tashkent Pact of 10th January 1966. In 1971, Pakistan launched two Brigade operations in Poonch sector to capture Poonch Town on very first day on 3rd December 1971. The defenders of Poonch sectors under the command of Brigadier Natu protected every inch of the land and repulsed the attack after hand to hand fighting at Langoor, Madari and Shahpur posts and also captured Mumtaz post in Baghyal Dara area. From 1989 to 2003 this brigade defended the LoC and combated terrorism in this sector with the help of peace living people of Poonch. During earthquake of 2005 Brigadier N.K. Bakshi established camps for the victims and provided all necessary help in reviving their lives.
In 2006, this Brigade took a number of positive steps at the time of opening of Poonch-Rawalakote Road and provided all necessary help in making trade and travel successful.
During the torrential rains and floods of September 2014 when Poonch witnessed large scale losses of lives and property and lower portion of Poonch town was washed away the commander of this brigade Navdeep Singh Barar along with officers and jawans immediately rushed to the spot and helped the administration in rescuing people from the flooded areas. The commander also got Jammu-Poonch road opened by constructing a part of washed away Darungli Bridge in 2 days’ time and constructed temporary bridge on Poonch River. These helpful, friendly and sympathetic traditions of Poonch brigade continue in even now. In present war like situation on the line of control, when the people of village Kirni, Shahpur, Gutrian, Qasba and Gagrian Sawjian are repeatedly becoming victims of firing and shelling from across the Line of Control in this sector, the officers and jawans of this Brigade under the command of A S Pentharkar not only gave befitting reply of shelling and firing but also help to the victims of firing in reducing their pain and sufferings. This brigade is also providing need based help to border people for their overall development. The Sarpanch Baghiyaldara Shamsdin told that this year for the first time the students of the border villages were sent to Bharat Darshan tour in August 2016 by this Brigade. Ishaaq Khan, Sarpanch Qasba appreciated the role of Army in organizing the medical camp and eye camp in the village Qasba, Kirni, Degwar and Badichechain for the basic treatments of the patients. Therefore, the human face of this brigade has created cordial and friendly atmosphere in this border area.
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