The Birth of Pakistan, carved out of India on 14 Aug 1947 as a result of two nation theory, left behind wounds that fail to heal. Approximately one million perished in the inter-communal violence. Innumerable accounts have been written on partition. Documentaries and movies made a fortune narrating this story.Subsequent to the partition, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir chose to remain independent probably with the intent that the Muslim majority state would not be comfortable with India and the Hindu and Sikh minorities would be vulnerable if the state joined Pakistan. Understanding the developments in the state, when uprising by Muslims in Poonch started gaining momentum, Pakistan designed a plot using Pashtun armed raiders ( kabalis) to invade Jammu and Kashmir under the “Operation Gulmarg”.

Early indicators / Intelligence of Pakistani intent were revealed by the British officer Maj Gen Scott to the Maharaja. Pakistan cut off supplies of fuel, sugar and salt to Kashmir causing unrest amongst the people. The Kabalis supported by Pakistan Army in disguise attacked through two main axes Poonch and Muzaffarabad. These invaders in formation of Lashkars (approx 4000 men) invaded Muzaffarabad on 22 Oct 1947. Since the invaders were heading towards Baramulla with the aim to take over Srinagar Airport under their control, the tactical defence at Uri by State Forces of Maharaja was a pivotal delay action. Brigadier Rajinder Singh (Chief of Staff of State Forces) with 200 soldiers fought the invaders gallantly at Saran Khowan De Bagh, Muzzafarabad. However, being outnumbered he was forced to withdraw. Whilst retreating back he destroyed the Uri bridge thus halting their movement for some time. Brigadier Rajinder Singh was martyred on 27 Oct fighting near Boniyar. The resistance offered by the forces gave time to the Maharaja to take a decision and sign the instrument of Accession on the evening of 26 Oct 1947. 

The invaders had initially planned a five day operation to take over Srinagar Airport however, after Uri the........

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