Chapter 3 continues…

After Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir and Maharaja fled Srinagar for Jammu and acceded to India, there was pandemonium in Gilgit. Rumours were floating that Srinagar had fallen and conspiracies were being hatched by the Gilgit Scouts and elements of State forces. Non-Muslim population was alarmed and approached the Governor who advised them to remain in Gilgit and face whatever was in store for them.

In the early hours of November 1, 1947, just after midnight, the house of the Governor was surrounded by about 100 scouts and asked to surrender. The governor surrendered ostensibly with a view to protect the lives of non-Muslim residents. The governor’s surrender, however, led to the disintegration of State Forces, with troops killing each other. All the Sikh troops were either killed or ran away to the mountains to save their lives. After the Governor’s arrest, a provisional government of “People’s Republic of Gilgit and Baltistan” was set up. It was headed by one local Rais Khan and included Major Brown, Captain Ihsan Ali, Capt. Hassan (both of State Forces), Captain Sayeed, Lieutenant Haider, Subedar Major Babar Khan (all three from Gilgit Scouts) and Wazir Wiiayat Ali.

On 4 November 1947, Pakistani flag was hoisted at the Gilgit Scouts lines by Major Brown who described his action as a ‘coup d’ etat and informed Peshawar about the accession of Gilgit to Pakistan. Sir George Cunningham, the new governor of the NWFP, on hearing of Brown’s coup in Gilgit instructed him to restore order. Subsequently, the rulers of the enclaves of Hunza and Nagar, within the Gilgit Agency, which were vassals of the Maharaja of Kashmir, also declared their accession to Pakistan.

After capturing Dardistan, the invasion of Baltistan started, which was led by Captain Ihsan Ali and included troops from 6th Kashmir Light Infantry, Gilgit Scouts and about 1,200 combatants from Chitral. The state forces led by Colonel Sher Jung Thapa defended Skardu gallantly for over six months, despite being totally cut-off from rest of the Indian forces.

To be continued…