| Capture of Bhimber | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown |
 Brig. Tommy Masaud Khan Satti Habib ur Rahman | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Unknown | 11th Cavalry | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Substantial | Unknown | ||||||
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The Capture of Bhimber was a significant event during the 1947 Poonch rebellion and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, in which the town of Bhimber was captured by Azad Kashmir rebels, backed by Pakistan, and became part of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.[1][2][3]
Background
editThe town of Bhimber, strategically located in the Poonch region, became an early target in the conflict. On 15 October 1947, the Kotli-Poonch route was cut off, resulting in a significant military disadvantage for the Indian state forces. On 24 October, Pakistani forces and tribal militias launched a major offensive against the town. The outnumbered 70 jawans of the Jammu and Kashmir state forces could not withstand the attack from approximately 1,000 attackers, and Bhimber was ultimately captured.[4]
Due to the fall of Bhimber in October, the town was cut off from supplies, leaving the defenders with no support. Their only hope was the possibility of air-dropped supplies of food and ammunition.[5][6]
According to historian Mohd. Yousif Saraf in his book Kashmiries Fight for Freedom, numerous Hindu and Sikh women committed suicide by consuming poison or jumping into wells to avoid capture. Among them were Ayodha Nath and his daughters.[7]
Offensive
editThe offensive on Bhimber was led by Habib ur Rahman and his volunteer forces. Brigadier Tommy Masaud Khan Satti was also a key figure on the Pakistani side, commanding the armored cars of the Pavo II Cavalry, which played a crucial role in capturing Bhimber, Mirpur, and Chamb.[8]
Records from the 11th Cavalry of the Pakistan Army indicate that the cavalry's efforts were essential in ultimately securing Bhimber for Azad Kashmir.[9][10]
Aftermath
editFollowing the capture, Bhimber was integrated into Azad Kashmir and remained under its control. The events surrounding Bhimber's capture marked one of the initial phases of Pakistan's involvement in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948.[11]
References
edit- ^ Schofield, Victoria (2010). Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War. London, United Kingdom: I.B. Tauris. pp. 99–126. ISBN 9780755607204.
- ^ Rai, Shiv (1992). Kashmir: A Disputed Legacy, 1846–1990. Jagriti Publications. pp. 75–80.
- ^ Kaul, Pyarelal. Kashmir War Or Peace.
- ^ “The hostiles further intensified their activities in Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli. These activities were part of a well-coordinated plan by Pakistan to split the State Forces garrisons into penny pockets all along the border areas so that they become ineffective as an organised fighting force.”
- ^ "Black November 1947: The Tragedy of Poonch". Daily Excelsior.
- ^ "The Struggle for Kashmir". Kashmir Digital Hub.
- ^ Choudhry, Rai (2004). "The Kashmir Conflict: A Historical Perspective". Asian Affairs. 35 (2): 45–60.
- ^ Khan, Farooq (2011). Kashmir: A Political History. Oxford University Press. pp. 151–160.
- ^ Nazir Salehria, retired Pakistani Army officer, in ISPR, Defence and Media 1991, p. 127: "Brigadier Habib ur Rehman organised us into a regular force and 15 Azad Kashmir battalion was raised. Unfortunately, this battalion has not been mentioned anywhere."
- ^ Khan, Zafar (2005). War in the Mountains: Kashmir 1947-48. Defence Publishers. pp. 110–115.
- ^ Khan, Farooq (2011). Kashmir: A Political History. Oxford University Press. pp. 151–160.
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