Chapter 3 continues…

However, the rebels supported by Pakistani forces captured Zojila Pass in May 1948 and infiltrated through Drass, Kargil and other points to threaten Leh. Indian Army had to subsequently use tanks to clear them from Zojila and defend Leh. It is indeed sad that despite heroic resistance having been put up by Thapa and his troops the Indian armed forces could not relieve Skardu and assist the garrison there.

The Army’s efforts to link up with the garrison were foiled by infiltrators who ambushed the two platoons of Gorkha troops that had been sent to relieve the garrison at Skardu; the Air Force for some inexplicable reasons was reluctant to undertake supply missions to Skardu by Dakotas, although they undertook far more risky operations during the war. The air force did airdrop some supplies but they fell far short of the minimum needs of the besieged garrison and the non-Muslim population that had taken refuge in the cantonment. As a result, on 14 August 1948, Skardu garrison led by Thapa surrendered and the control over Baltistan and surrounding areas passed on to Pakistan.

Major Brown had sent frantic wireless messages to Pakistani authorities in Peshawar to take over the area and Pakistan sent Sardar Mohammad Alam as its first political agent. The accession was formalized by signing an agreement with presidents of “Azad Kashmir” and Muslim Conference on 28 April 1949. The agreement legitimized Pakistani administrative control over Northern areas. After the ceasefire, people were put under the control of a Resident who exercised total judicial and administrative control over the area. Liaqat Ali Khan decided that Gilgit and Baltistan should not be incorporated into Pakistan’s democratic structures.

As a result the area was kept constitutionally separate from rest of Pakistan and ruled directly by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs in Karachi. In 1952, the Joint Secretary in the Ministry was made the ex-officio Resident of Northern Areas. In 1967, a separate post of Resident based at Gilgit was created.

To be continued…